Decline in European markets in first half of 2011. New car registrations in the European Union plummeted in June, after a slight rebound in May. Only 1,233,288 cars were registered last month in 25 of the 27 countries of the EU (excluding Cyprus and Malta), according to the European Automobile Manufacturers (ACEA). This was 8.1% less than in June 2010. This is the most serious downturn since October 2010. Consequently, registrations were down by 2.1% over the six-month period. Spain is one of the markets hit hardest by this sharp fall (-31.4%). Markets that have hitherto been the most resistant have also been affected, such as France (-12.6%), the United Kingdom (-6.2%), Italy (-1.7%) and even Germany (-0.3%). German manufacturing brands are doing the best and accounted for 2.4 million registrations alone. Volkswagen was the best performer and is the number one manufacturer in Europe, far ahead of the others. Manufacturers' market share in the first six months of the year is as follows: (1) Volkswagen, 22.7% market share (1,613,989 registrations; +5.7% compared to the first half of 2010); (2) PSA Peugeot Citroën, 13.2 % market share (938,589 registrations; -7.1%); 3) Renault/Dacia, 9.7% market share (688 122 registrations (-10.8%); (4) GM Group, 8.8% market share (628,647 registrations; +1.7%); (5) Ford, 8.1% market share (576,727 registrations; -6.6%); (6) Fiat Group, +7.3% (521 852 registrations; -12.7%); (7) BMW + Mini, 5.8% market share (410,112 registrations; +10.8%); (8) Daimler, 4.7% market share (337,489 registrations; +1.7%); (9) Toyota (+ Lexus), 4% market share (281,780 registrations; -8.2%); (10) Nissan, 3.4% market share (239,096 registrations; +16,3%). (I.L./transl.fl)