There is such an organization as the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), which will celebrate its “fifty years” in a month’s time. She regularly publishes data on the number of new car registrations in the countries under her control, leading domestic experts to either horrify or delight, depending on the size of the numbers in her releases. Reactions also vary widely, from neutral to full of pain and sadness, from serious to sarcastic. It seems that the latter approach is the right one – nerves must be protected and humor prolongs life.
Here is an illustration. We were so selflessly killed by the tragic fate of the Russian car market that we lost sight of an important point brought to us by ACEA. And he should have filled our hearts with pride in the domestic auto industry. Of course, our country has not formally been a member for a long time, is not and will not be a member of associations such as the European Union or the European Free Trade Association. Therefore, it is only virtually possible to introduce Russia into the reviews compiled for them. But it is possible, because we have data for our own country.
So, according to the results of the first two months of this year – before the introduction of “infernal sanctions” – the Russian Federation was in fifth place among European countries in terms of the number of registered (in our case sold) new cars. As a result of the slump that overtook the domestic car market, we’re down according to aggregate data for January-August – no, not 10th, as you might think, but only 6th. Yes, the European market also fell, albeit not so much – by 12.2%.
Definitely leading the way: Germany with 1,643,069 registrations, the United Kingdom (so far) with 983,099, France with 970,000, Italy with 865,044 and Spain with 533,042 passenger cars. So rule our wretched 410,548 cars? It is possible to win in secret – well, we are not the worst, because despite the difficulties, we have bypassed 35 western rivals? Blow the trumpet, trumpeter!