Let's Take a Gander: Fewer Stinkers, Bigger Rides on German Roads
German Streets Show Reduced Odor Levels
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Get ready to breathe easier, folks! The number of smelly old clunkers on the German streets is on a steady decline as more than half of the cars there are now Euro 6 compliant, with a whopping 1.65 million electric vehicles also gracing the roads [1][3][4]. But what's truly fogging up the rearview mirror, you ask? Small and compact cars are becoming scarcer than hen's teeth [1][2].
The reduction in the number of aging cars with less compliant emission standards, coupled with the increase in electric vehicles, is responsible for the growth in the percentage of Euro 6 cars on the road. As for what happened to the old gas guzzlers, KBA data isn't specific, so it's anyone's guess whether they hit the scrap heap or crossed the border [1].
Meanwhile, SUVs are running off with the limelight, snagging nearly a third of all new registrations in 2024 and dominating the pure electric vehicle fleet [4]. This bodes well for models like the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq, which have reported robust sales growth [2]. So, with SUVs gaining in popularity not just in Germany but across Europe [2][4], it looks like it's time to wave goodbye to your trusty compact commuter.
Source: ntv.de, abe/dpa
- Emissions Scandal
- Federal Motor Transport Authority
- Small Cars
- Compact Class
Insights:- European market trends indicate a shift towards larger vehicles like SUVs and away from smaller cars, but the decline in small car sales in Germany isn't currently clear [2][3].- SUVs continue to gain popularity in Europe, with sales driven by the Volkswagen Tiguan and Skoda Kodiaq [2].- Electric vehicles (EVs) are experiencing a surge in popularity across Europe, with battery-electric vehicles accounting for a significant proportion of new car registrations in Germany [1][3][4].- Volkswagen is experiencing strong growth in EV sales, with models like the ID.4 and ID.3 leading the charge [2][3].
- In line with the decline in emissions from older cars, Germany has implemented a vocational training program to prepare automotive technicians for the growing demand to service Euro 6 compliant vehicles and electric vehicles. [Community policy, emissions, Germany, vocational training]
- As small cars decrease in popularity and are replaced by SUVs, some within the community propose the implementation of common policies to address the shrinking availability of vocational training programs focused on small car repair and maintenance. [small cars, common, shrinking, vocational training]
- Despite the regulatory push towards electric vehicles in Germany, research has shown that the average emission levels from new SUVs are rising, requiring continued vigilance in the development of vehicle emissions standards and the implementation of comprehensive community policies. [emissions, Germany, SUVs]
