Nov 21 Reuters New car sales in Europe were flat in October, after falling for two consecutive months, industry data showed on Thursday, while the transition to fully electric or hybrid models gained ground in the month.

An uptick in total sales in Spain and Germany, of 7.2 and 6 respectively, offset a contraction in France, Italy and Britain, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association ACEA said.

WHY IT39;S IMPORTANT

European automakers are struggling with weak demand, high production costs, and managing the shift to EVs, while trying to fend off competition from China.

BY THE NUMBERS

The number of new vehicles registered in October in the EU, Britain and the European Free Trade Association EFTA rose 0.1 yearonyear to 1.04 million.

Sales of fully electric cars BEVs rose for the second consecutive month, up 6.9 in October, while those of hybrid cars HEVs rose by 15.8.

Registrations in the EU, Britain and EFTA at Volkswagen rose 12.6, while they fell by 16.7 at Stellantis and by 0.4 at Renault.

Sales were down 23.1 at EV maker Tesla and down 10 at China39;s SAIC Motor.

In the EU, total new car registrations rose 1.1 yearonyear. Germany saw sales increase with 6, after three months of losses.

Electrified vehicles either BEV, HEV or plugin hybrids PHEV sold in the bloc accounted for 55.4 of passenger car registrations in October, up from 51.3 in the previous year.

QUOTES

As we head towards the end of the year, carmakers are increasingly rolling out…