Sales of new light vehicles in Western Europe fell 5.2 percent in May compared with the same month in 2002.
With the decline in May, sales for the first five months of 2003 are off 3.8 percent from the same period in 2002. Only seven companies reported higher sales in May 2003. Kia was up 47 percent. Mazda rose 45.2 percent. The Mini division of BMW Group was up 15.4 percent.
Honda increased 9.3 percent. MG Rover gained 8.6 percent. Audi rose 4.2 percent. The Smart division of DaimlerChrysler gained 0.7 percent.
Sales in Germany rose 6.9 percent in May. Germany is Europe's biggest market. But sales fell in each of the four other major markets.
Sales in Italy fell 13.5 percent in May. France was off 13.1 percent. Spain fell 6.4 percent. Britain declined 4.1 percent.
