EU new car registrations dropped from 969,219 units in January 2012 to 885,159 units in January this year, according to data released Tuesday by the European carmakers association ACEA.
New car registrations in the EU reached a new low since 1990, when data collection started.
Among large markets, only the UK posted growth in new car registrations. UK registrations increased 11.5%, to 143,643 units, while Germany, the biggest European car market, saw decline of 8.6%, to 192.090 units, and France dropped 15%, to 124,798 units.
Italy declined 17.6%, la 113,525 units, while Spain fell 9.6%, to 49,671 units.
Spain was overtaken by Belgium, which posted a 13.3% increase, to 50,684 units.