Methodology
The methodology used is the same as that employed in previous reports: a total of 17 European and 8 Japanese manufacturers supplied the Commission with their recommended retail prices, as of 1 November 2005, for 87 among the best-selling models.
The reference price for the calculation of differentials for any model is that of the cheapest country within the euro zone. Prices are adjusted for differences in standard equipment, and are given in euro and, where applicable, local currency1, both before and after tax. Prices for major options and for right-hand drive specification are also supplied, together with other information. For some models, further options and variations in standard equipment may exist on certain national markets. It should also be noted that actual retail prices may differ from recommended list prices, as dealers must be free to propose lower prices and to offer additional financial benefits to customers, depending on the market.
Prices are stable in the EU
According to Eurostat figures on inflation, the convergence as shown by the Report takes place in a context of relative price stability in the EU as a whole and in most of each Member State:
Year-on-year change in price index (Dec 2005 compared with Dec 2004)
Euro zone
|
Cars
|
Inflation
|
Belgium
|
1.4
|
2.8
|
Germany
|
1.8
|
2.1
|
Greece
|
-0.8
|
3.5
|
Spain
|
2.2
|
3.7
|
France
|
-0.4
|
1.8
|
Ireland
|
1.2
|
1.9
|
Italy
|
2.4
|
2.1
|
Luxembourg
|
1.0
|
3.4
|
Netherlands
|
2.5
|
2.1
|
Austria
|
1.2
|
1.6
|
Portugal
|
2.6
|
2.5
|
Finland
|
-2.8
|
1.1
|
Euro zone
|
1.3
|
2.3
|
|
EU-25
|
Cars
|
Inflation
|
Czech Republic
|
-0.3
|
1.9
|
Denmark
|
1.5
|
2.2
|
Estonia
|
-5.0
|
3.6
|
Cyprus
|
-0.7
|
1.4
|
Latvia
|
1.6
|
7.1
|
Lithuania
|
-7.2
|
3.0
|
Hungary
|
-4.3
|
3.3
|
Malta
|
n.a.
|
3.4
|
Poland
|
-10.8
|
0.8
|
Slovenia
|
-6.5
|
2.4
|
Slovakia
|
-6.9
|
3.9
|
Sweden
|
-0.1
|
1.3
|
United Kingdom
|
-0.5
|
2.0
|
EU
|
0.6
|
2.1
|
1 The euro rates used for conversion are those published in the Official Journal C273 of 3 November 2005
Some highlights within the euro zone
Price differences for a selection of best-selling cars (expressed as percentages of prices in euro before tax, comparing the most expensive with the cheapest euro zone market) on 1 November 2005 were as follows:
Small segments A and B:
|
01.11.2005
|
01.05.2005
|
01.11.2004
|
Opel Corsa
|
16.1%
|
10.9%
|
17.3%
|
Ford Fiesta
|
25.3%
|
25.2%
|
22.1%
|
Renault Clio
|
14.2%
|
25.2%
|
22.7%
|
Peugeot 206
|
17.0%
|
16.2%
|
15.0%
|
Fiat Punto
|
32.2%
|
29.6%
|
23.5%
|
Medium segment C:
|
01.11.2005
|
01.05.2005
|
01.11.2004
|
VW Golf
|
26.7%
|
23.4%
|
28.3%
|
Opel Astra
|
16.7%
|
11.9%
|
15.9%
|
Ford Focus
|
22.7%
|
22.7%
|
20.8%
|
Renault Mégane
|
21.5%
|
19.6%
|
22.0%
|
Peugeot 307
|
18.1%
|
17.8%
|
17.1%
|
Large car segments D, E and F:
|
01.11.2005
|
01.05.2005
|
01.11.2004
|
BMW 320D
|
5.6%
|
5.2%
|
12.5%
|
Audi A4
|
13.2%
|
11.8%
|
10.3%
|
Ford Mondeo
|
22.5%
|
19.2%
|
18.1%
|
Mercedes C180
|
3.9%
|
3.9%
|
3.7%
|
VW Passat
|
20.3%
|
20.3%
|
30.8%
|
This information can be found at the offical EU website.
|