- The European market has strongly declined from 2007 to 2013.
This evolution is the consequence of two main factors:

° less users of cars, especially in dense populated zones of Europe where people turn to collective transportation ways and/or soft ways (bikes and motorbikes).

° less driven kilometers and consequently longer use time of vehicles

- But we can differentiate very clearly the market of “Premium” cars from the market of “Generalist” (Non-Premium cars).
While the “Generalist” car market has continuously declined, the “Premium" market has stabilised around 2 million vehicles per year. What is nevertheless surprising is that "Premium"  market has not increased in volume while European carmakers have widened significantly their offer of models.

- Consequently, the “ Premium” carmakers have been in better position to withstand the crisis. However only Audi could recover its pre-crisis level. And one “Generalist” carmaker brand, Volkswagen, has maintained its volume (with however a slowdown in 2013) and increase significantly its market share.