EU car sales to rise 7.9% in 2022 as chip supply stabilises - ACEA

FILE PHOTO: A worker poses as he walks between second hand cars at the Auto1.com company grounds in Zoerbig, Germany January 28, 2017. Picture taken January 28, 2017. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - European Union car sales are expected to rise by 7.9% this year as semiconductor supply problems ease, but will still be some 20% below 2019 pre-pandemic levels, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said on Tuesday.

The association, which represents the 16 major Europe-based automakers, said this would follow a 2.4% decline in 2021 due to a shortage of semiconductors, especially during the second half of last year.