Fiat, Toyota Lead Europe Sales Drop as Incentives End - German manufacturers see growth

Fiat SpA, Toyota Motor Corp. and Ford Motor Co. led a 10th straight monthly decline in European car sales as consumers cut spending following the end of government incentives.

Registrations in the region fell 1.1 percent from a year earlier to 1.07 million vehicles in January, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said today in a statement. Fiat’s European sales dropped 20 percent, Toyota’s declined 11 percent and Ford’s dropped 9.4 percent.

Volume carmakers in Europe are under pressure to cut prices as falling sales lead to an oversupply. Buyers are holding back following the expiration of government programs introduced during the recession to encourage purchases of fuel-efficient cars or trade-ins of older models for scrap.
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JustaCar - 2/17/2011 10:12:39 AM

-2 Boost

Now there's a smart comment from SportyTurbo !!!!!

Wimmer - 2/17/2011 11:21:03 AM

+1 Boost

I'm European and most of my friends drive European cars like VWs, Fiat's, Renault's, BMWs etc. and we can't relate to this "horrible reliability experience" that Americans keep whining about. Our cars are dependable and well-made. If they weren't we'd buy from another brand. End of the story.

Then again we don't have ultra-thin cup holders in our cars for XXXXXL Diet Cokes that "break all the time"...

*Sarcasm*

outsider - 2/17/2011 4:18:43 AM

+1 Boost

VW image is strong in Europe.
Fiat survive with commercial vehicles.
Ford new line-up.
Toyota is preparing something technology surprise.

internationalmanofmystery - 2/17/2011 8:46:15 AM

0 Boost

"Europeans are too dumb to know that so they just keep on buying 'em"

Yeah, all that build quality is just garbage!