The prototypical German new car also looked similar to 2014 in previous years: usually a compact model, like that of a domestic manufacturer, with diesel or gasoline engine, preferably in black or gray. This and much more can be read from the final annual statistics of the Federal Motor Transport Authority (KBA). Despite the little mysterious recipe for success, some brands hit buyers' tastes better than others.
Overall, the car year closed with 3,04 million new car registrations slightly better than 2013 (plus 2,9 percent). The domestic manufacturers were also able to profit from this, above all Porsche, The Stuttgart-based company received 24.365 new registrations, an increase of 17,1 percent over the previous year - not least thanks to the newly launched Macan compact SUV. Ford (+ 2013 percent), Opel (+ 5,7 percent), Audi (+ 5,6 percent), BMW (+ 3,0 percent) and VW (+ 2,8 percent) also got rid of more cars than in 2,2 ). With 656.494 new registrations and a market share of 21,6 percent, Wolfsburg also remained the clear market leader. The German number two Mercedes, on the other hand, suffered a drop in new registrations: 272.566 new registrations missed the previous year's result by 1,7 percent. Daughter Smart even lost 13,8 percent, but should compensate for the loss with the recent start of the new model generation. Mini (minus 3,2 percent) will also have suffered from the model change over the course of the year.
Biggest loser of the year was - not surprising - Chevrolet, The GM subsidiary had sold only stocks in view of the upcoming withdrawal from Europe. Overall, 5.516 vehicles still found their customers, 77,4 percent less than a year ago. Also not surprising is the 21-owned minus at Lancia; The Italians have removed 2014 from three of their five models. By contrast, Toyota will be less likely to take the annual result: 70.267 new registrations meant a decline of 5,1 percent, daughter Lexus even lost 19,7 percent. The year was also bad for Subaru (minus 16,6 percent) and Alfa Romeo (minus 6,5 percent).
Jeep is one of the winners of the year. Thanks to new models, the all-wheel-drive brand also gained 48,8 percent on 10.268 new registrations. Even the direct competitor Land Rover recorded with 18,1 percent a significant plus. The strongest growth among brands with at least one percent market share was achieved by Mazda (plus 16,7 percent). Seat, Nissan and Volvo also posted double-digit growth.
The most popular class was again the compact segment with a share of 26,4 percent in new registrations. This was followed by small cars (15,1 percent) and mid-range vehicles (15,1 percent). In the drive the German vehicle buyers rely on familiar: gasoline (50,5 percent share) and diesel (47,8 percent) shared the market largely. After all, the alternative powertrains were able to increase slightly from 1,6 to 1,7 percent. The number of new electric cars, for example, increased from 6.051 in the year 2013 to 8.522 units, a still small amount. The hybrid models with 27.435 new registrations remain much more popular (previous year: 26.348).
The preferred color for new cars was again black with a market share of 27,8 percent. Grays followed in all its facets (27,2 percent). The conservative choice of color probably also has to do with the high proportion of commercially used cars. The proportion of privately purchased cars declined again, from 2014 percent in the previous year to 37,9 percent.
Author: Holger Holzer / SP-X