A quarter fewer electric cars: Car trade with revenue deficit, workshops increase

In the crisis of the German automotive industry, the trade in motor vehicles also has to accept a decline in sales. From January to September, the revenue of dealers decreased by 1.3 percent in real terms compared to the same period last year, as reported by the Federal Statistical Office in Wiesbaden. However, motor vehicle workshops in Germany generated 2.5 percent more revenue in real terms in the first nine months.

"One reason for the increase in revenue for motor vehicle workshops and the decline in sales in the car trade could be the reluctance to buy new and used cars," the statisticians wrote. In addition, the government purchase premium for electric cars expired in December 2023. As a result, sales in both car dealers and workshops from January to September remained slightly below the level before the Corona crisis in 2019.