Brussels, 23 December 2010 - Total vehicle production in the EU rose by 15% in the first nine months of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009. Passenger car production increased by 13%, reflecting a drop of 5% in the third quarter in correlation with the softening momentum in the global economy. Production levels in the segment of vans expanded in all three quarters of 2010. The segment of trucks started to show signs of recovery only in the second quarter, when production increased by 57%, and continued this trend in the third quarter when new truck registrations also began to be positive again.

These and other figures can be found in the latest ACEA Economic Report, published today on ACEA website: http://www.acea.be/images/uploads/files/20101223_ER_1012_2010_III_Q3.pdf
The automobile industry’s trade association publishes the Economic Report three times a year, giving additional insight in market trends and automotive production.
(See attached file: X. Summary ER1012.pdf)
About ACEA
The European automotive industry is key to the strength and competitiveness of the European economy. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), founded in 1991, represents the interests of the sixteen European car, truck and bus manufacturers at EU level. The ACEA members are BMW Group, DAF Trucks, Daimler, FIAT Group, Ford of Europe, General Motors Europe, Jaguar Land Rover, MAN Nutzfahrzeuge, Porsche, PSA Peugeot Citroën, Renault Group, Scania, Toyota Motor Europe, Volkswagen Group, Volvo Cars and Volvo Group. They provide direct employment to more than 3.5 million people and indirectly support another 12.6 million jobs. Annually, ACEA members invest €26 billion in R&D, or 5% of turnover.

For further information, please contact Sigrid de Vries, Director Communications, ACEA +32 2 738 73 45 or sv@acea.be
Please also visit www.acea.be