Diesels are more than Half of New Cars Sold in Western Europe
February 27, 2012
In 2011, nearly 52% of all new cars sold in Western Europe were diesel. In Belgium, Norway, France and Spain more than 70% of the new car market in 2011 were diesels. The market penetration of diesels was very quick in Norway from 2004 to 2007. In 2009, Germany, Italy, and France each had significant declines in the share of diesels purchased, possibly due to emission standards and/or vehicle incentive programs in those countries.
Share of New Diesel Vehicles Sold, 1999 – 2011
Western Europe Diesel Car Sales Shares, 1999-2011
| Country | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belgium* | 54.3% | 56.7% | 62.6% | 64.2% | 68.3% | 69.9% | 72.9% | 74.7% | 76.9% | 78.7% | 75.1% | 75.4% | 75.9% |
| France | 44.1% | 49.0% | 56.2% | 63.2% | 67.4% | 69.2% | 69.1% | 71.4% | 73.9% | 77.3% | 70.4% | 72.4% | 70.8% |
| Germany | 22.4% | 30.4% | 34.6% | 38.0% | 39.8% | 44.0% | 42.7% | 44.3% | 47.7% | 44.1% | 30.7% | 47.1% | 41.9% |
| Italy | 29.1% | 33.7% | 36.6% | 43.6% | 48.7% | 58.4% | 58.5% | 58.2% | 55.7% | 50.6% | 42.2% | 55.4% | 45.9% |
| Norway | 8.2% | 9.0% | 13.3% | 17.5% | 23.2% | 27.0% | 39.2% | 48.4% | 74.4% | 72.4% | 72.7% | 75.7% | 74.9% |
| Spain | 51.7% | 53.1% | 52.5% | 57.3% | 60.4% | 65.1% | 67.8% | 70.0% | 70.8% | 69.3% | 70.1% | 70.3% | 70.7% |
| Switzerland | 6.6% | 9.2% | 13.3% | 17.8% | 21.5% | 25.9% | 28.1% | 30.0% | 32.5% | 32.4% | 29.6% | 32.9% | 30.4% |
| United Kingdom | 13.8% | 14.1% | 17.8% | 23.5% | 27.3% | 32.5% | 36.8% | 38.3% | 40.2% | 43.6% | 41.7% | 50.6% | 46.1% |
| Total | 28.4% | 32.3% | 36.0% | 40.4% | 43.6% | 48.3% | 49.5% | 51.0% | 53.3% | 52.6% | 46.0% | 55.8% | 51.8% |
Note
* Belgium data includes light commercial vehicles in addition to passenger cars.
Source
Automotive Industry Data Newsletter, Nos. 0102, 0302, 0501, 0602, 0702, 0714, 0904, 1202.