Ireland's new car sales in May down by 72 pct

A total of 1,751 units of new cars were sold in Ireland in May, down by 72.3 percent when compared with 6,320 units sold in the same month of last year, said the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) on June 2.

Total sales of new cars in the country for the first five months of this year stood at 51,904 units, down 34.6 percent compared to 79,350 units sold a year ago, said the SIMI, an industry organization which represents the motor traders in the country.

Spain's new car sales plunge 72.7 pct in May

The sales of new saloon cars and off-road vehicles in Spain plummeted 72.7 percent in May year-on-year over the same period of 2019, according to data published by the Spanish associations of car manufacturers (Anfac), sales (Ganvam) and showrooms (Faconauto) on Monday evening.

May's figures came just days after Japanese car manufacturer Nissan said it would close its plant in Barcelona with the loss of around 3,000 jobs, and the Spanish automobile sector has asked for government help to stimulate the sector. 

A worker wearing a face shield and a face mask works in Toyota factory in Valenciennes, France, April 28, 2020. (Xinhua)

France announces 8-bln-euro plan to rescue ailing car industry

French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to massively back the auto sector to help it recover as the coronavirus crisis has taken a toll on the country's key industry on May 26.

The automobile sector, which offers 400,000 direct jobs in France, had been hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic. It is the second sector to have a specific recover plan after tourism.

In a statement released on May 1, French Automobile Manufacturers Committee (CCFA) said sales of French brands plunged by 84.2 percent in April due to national coronavirus lockdown.

UK auto sector calls for car showrooms to re-open "as a matter of urgency"

The British automotive industry urged the government to allow the country's 4,900-strong network of new car showrooms to reopen "as a matter of urgency", as figures show keeping dealerships closed costs 61 million pounds (about 74.4 million U.S. dollars) a day to the Treasury on May 22.

"Unlike many other retail sectors, car sales act as the engine for manufacturing and reopening showrooms is an easy and relatively safe next step to help get the economy restarted," said Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT.