European motor manufacturers and dealers can expect more ‘modest’ sales growth in 2016 compared to 2015, European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) president Dieter Zetsche has said.
In 2015, EU passenger car sales were 9.3% higher than 2014 sales figures.
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Zetsche said: "After several rocky years since the 2008 financial crisis, the European car market is moving in the right direction again.
"This is great progress, but we are still well below the 2007 pre-crisis level of 15.5 million cars."
Zetsche said the ACEA expected roughly 14m new cars to be sold, which would represent a growth of just 2% on the 13.7m sold in 2015.
Looking ahead, Zetsche also called on politicians to remove trade barriers. He said: "We need political partners that continue to stand by the principles of free trade. The auto industry – like virtually every other European industry – can best thrive in an environment without trade barriers."
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