European New-Car Sales Down 10.2 Percent in February

MILAN — Europe’s new car market shrank a further 10.2 percent in February, according to figures from the Association of European Car Manufacturers on Tuesday, the lowest since its records began in 1990.

Ford, General Motors and Fiat were the worst performers, as European car registrations fell to 829,359 vehicles after hitting a 17-year low in January.

Car makers in Europe are still reeling from a terrible 2012, when annual car sales volumes in the 27-nation European Union fell 8.2 percent to 12.05 million vehicles. In the 17-nation euro zone, sales dropped 11.3 percent to just under 9 million, according to Reuters calculations.

This year is shaping up to be another tough slog for mass-market car makers, as consumers in recessionary European economies postpone new car purchases.

For 2013, the market forecaster LMC Automotive recently estimated a 3.1 percent drop in West European sales, to 11.4 million vehicles, compared with levels of around 12.8 million in 2011 and 13 million in 2010.

At the European market leader Volkswagen, sales of the core VW brand fell nearly 10 percent, and sales of its luxury brand, Audi, fell 3.8 percent.

The South Korean brands Hyundai and Kia, usually a bright spot, gained 1.4 percent and dropped 1.1 percent, respectively. The duo have made a name for themselves with attractively designed, affordable cars that enjoy long warranties.

Another bright spot was Britain, where sales rose 7.9 percent.