Spain sales fell 9% in February amid political uncertainty

New-car sales in Spain fell 8.8 percent to 100,701 in February, the market’s sixth consecutive monthly decline, according to industry association ANFAC. Last month had the same number of selling days as February 2018.

Sales to private customers dropped 12 percent to 46,272 units in February, while those to rental companies fell 19 percent to 21,677. Registrations by companies bucked the trend with a 4.7 percent increase to 32,752.

Diesel-car registrations suffered a 29 percent drop to 30,078 with a market share of 29.9 percent, 1 percentage point higher than in January but down from 38.2 percent in February 2018. Sales of gasoline cars were down 1.2 percent to 60,621 for a 60.2 percent share. A year ago, it was 56.4 percent.

Sales of all electrified vehicles — battery electric and hybrids — jumped 43 percent to 10,002 and took a 9.9 percent market share, up from 6.3 percent in February 2018.

Alberto Tapia, of the dealer association GANVAM, said he does not see signs of improvement in the short term; He said the political climate does not help consumer confidence. The Spanish government, having been defeated in Parliament on the 2019 budget law, has called for a snap election to take place April 28.

The Volkswagen group brands lost ground in February, with the VW brand suffering a 10 percent decline, Audi down 17 percent, Seat and Skoda both dropping 24 percent and Porsche registrations plunging 49 percent. At Seat, strong demand for its SUVs — Arona up 32 percent and Ateca 42 percent — did not compensate the decline in registrations of its Ibiza small car, down 59 percent, and Leon compact, off 26 percent.

Within the PSA Group, Peugeot gained 9.2 percent, Citroen slipped 7 percent (with the C4 compact down 51 percent) and Opel lost 22 percent. Renault sales slipped 2.2 percent, while sister brand Dacia rose 3.7 percent.

Within the Fiat Chrysler Automobiles group, Fiat registrations were down 3.8 percent while Jeep deliveries jumped 90 percent, thanks to sales of the Renegade crossover more than doubling and the Compass crossover soaring 65 percent.

Ford sales were down 17 percent.

Among the Japanese brands, Toyota was down 8 percent and Nissan rose 3 percent.

South Korea’s Hyundai declined 22 percent, while sister brand Kia slipped 6 percent.

Among German premium manufacturers, Mercedes-Benz sales were down 3 percent and BMW’s dropped 27 percent.