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MALTATODAY 21 July 2019

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M6 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 21 JULY 2019 MOTORING EUROPEAN car sales look set to drop for the second year in a row, after fig- ures show that new car registrations fell sharply in June. According to data from the Associa- tion of European Carmakers (ACEA) sales of new cars dropped by 7.9 per cent – the biggest fall recorded by the Brussels-based group since December 2018. Vehicle registrations were also down to 1.49 million, compared to the 1.62 million new cars registered a year ear- lier in June 2018. The ACEA pointed to calendar ef- fects resulting in two fewer sales days in most markets for June accenting the decline. But the automotive industry has been hit hard by weakening demand in mainland Europe and a decline in interest in diesel vehicles, alongside a drop-off in China as the country's government tries to boost its domestic electric vehicle (EV) sector. The ongoing trade war between Washington and Beijing has also had a significant impact, with several vital components becoming more expen- sive to import from part makers. Since the beginning of 2019, total sales have dropped 3.1 per cent when compared to last year. The ACEA has revised its prediction for annual sales for 2019 to a 1 per cent drop. Before last year, the Euro- pean car industry had enjoyed unin- terrupted growth since 2013. "We are standing in front of a diffi- cult second half of the year," said Pe- ter Fuss, a partner at EY consultancy. "Little positive impetus for the new car market in the EU can be expected in the coming months." Car makers feel the heat The ACEA revealed that Nissan ex- perienced the worst decline of any firm, suffering a 27 per cent slump in June sales, while Volvo deliveries were down 22 per cent. Meanwhile, Honda registrations fell by 19 per cent, sales at FCA were down 14 per cent and BMW shifted 10 per cent fewer cars in the month. Both Daimler, Mercedes' parent com- pany, and the PSA Group posted 8.2 per cent sales slumps. Last week, Daimler issued its fourth profit warning in just over a year due to the costs of a recall and allegations of emissions-tampering in diesel cars. In May, BMW reported its first loss in a decade in its main automotive divi- sion. Earlier this month, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said that UK car sales dropped 3.4 per cent in the first half of 2019. European car sales plunge for second year in a row after demand for diesel cars drops A modified 2012 Volkswagen Crafter used as a tour bus by members of One Direction is heading to auction next month. Set to sell with Classic Car Auctions in Leamington Spa on 3 August, the van was built for Zayn Malik and Louis Tomlinson of the now- defunct boy band. The most obvious exter- nal feature is a Scooby Doo- inspired Mystery Machine livery, which was installed by car wrap specialist Yian- nimize. There are also four CCTV cameras, a PA system and water jets, which may still be useful if its future owner is also a likely-to-be- mobbed star. Inside, there's a hefty amount of customisation, including a sound system, la- ser lights, underfloor heating and remote air conditioning. A 55-inch Sony plasma TV is the centrepiece of a gam- ers' nirvana, including mod- ern Xbox, Nintendo and PlayStation systems, as well as classic consoles from Atari and Nintendo. There are two cosy-looking seats, embroidered to include the initials of the two pop stars, plus a slightly less lux- urious backbench for three, presumably to facilitate the other members of the band if they ever elected to tag along. As you might expect, all the special amenities are in the back; the front of the van is rather more standard fare, though it looks to have cus- tom seats. Having completed just 4,000 miles in its life, the heavily-personalised motor is nearly-new, and is expect- ed to fetch between £30,000 and £40,000. Former One Direction tour van heading to auction

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