BERLIN: German new car registrations are expected to decline by 6% in 2020 as the coronavirus outbreak is affecting manufacturers and their suppliers, automotive industry association VDA said on Thursday.
It previously forecasted a decline of 4 per cent.
VDA said it also sees a bigger impact on China’s auto market, forecasting a decline of 7 per cent compared to a previously expected decline of 2 per cent.
VDA President Hildegard Mueller said the effects of the coronavirus were still unclear but she said a rapid improvement was not to be expected.
VDA said it had set up a crisis task force, which will analyse the coronavirus situation and discuss potential responses.
Mueller said she still planned to travel to next week’s Geneva auto show on Monday, adding that public life must continue. -- Reuters