Car prices: lower in new Member States

Publication date: 29 July 2004

The European Commission published today its latest six-monthly report on car prices, including for the first time data from the new EU countries.

Based on 1 May 2004 figures, the report shows a further price convergence for new cars across markets in the euro zone. The average standard deviation of prices fell from 4.9% to 4.4% when compared to the report published a year ago. Nonetheless, price differentials between the cheapest and the most expensive eurozone Member States sometimes remain substantial. Among the 90 models covered in the report, 25 models still have differences exceeding 20 %.

Germany remains the most expensive country for buying a car in the Euro-zone, while Finland is the cheapest, with quoted prices on average 10% lower. Cars in the new Member States are, on average, less expensive than in the Euro-zone. The cheapest country among the new Member States is Poland, with prices 9% lower than in Finland.

For more information:
- Commission press release (IP/04/1003)
- condensed electronic version of price tables

Related News Item:
Car prices: buying abroad often remains good deal (2 March 2004)