Home > Statistics > Turnover of trade > 2016 > February > Motor vehicle sales grew by 12.4 per cent year-on-year in February

Published: 15 April 2016

Motor vehicle sales grew by 12.4 per cent year-on-year in February

According to Statistics Finland, sales in total trade increased by 1.9 per cent in February from February 2015. Motor vehicle sales grew strongest among the sectors of trade, altogether by 12.4 per cent. In retail trade, sales were, in turn, 2.1 per cent higher in February than twelve months ago, as both daily consumer goods trade and department store trade generated a growth of 2.3 per cent. By contrast, sales in wholesale trade fell by 1.0 per cent from the previous year.

Annual change in turnover in trade industries, % (TOL 2008)

Sales volume grew in total trade by 4.6 per cent in February from the year before

The volume of sales increased in all main sectors of trade in February. Motor vehicle sales increased by 12.7 per cent from February 2015. The growth was affected by increased sales of new motor vehicles, as Statistics Finland’s data indicate that the number of first registrations of motor vehicles was also 13.5 per cent higher in February than in February 2015. In retail trade, the sales volume increased by 3.7 per cent in February and in wholesale trade by 2.8 per cent from one year earlier. Thus, sales increased in total trade by 4.6 per cent.

The volume index of sales is calculated by removing the effect of price changes from the value index series. Due to fallen prices, the sales volume developed more favourably than turnover in all sectors of trade.

Sales in retail trade declined by 0.2 per cent in January to February

Retail trade sales decreased by 0.2 per cent in January to February from January to February 2015. Sales in wholesale trade fell, in turn, by 2.4 per cent, whereas in motor vehicle trade, sales grew by 10.6 per cent from the year before. In January to February, total trade sales remained at the same level as in January to February 2015.

The reported annual changes in trade sales and sales volumes are not seasonally or trading day adjusted, which means that the effects of public holidays are not considered. In February, the development of the sectors of trade was in part affected by the leap year. The opening hours of retail shops were deregulated starting from 1 January 2016 after which some retail shops have extended their opening hours.

Source: Turnover of trade, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Milka Suomalainen 029 551 2912, Seija Karttunen 029 551 2741, palvelut.suhdanne@stat.fi

Director in charge: Mari Ylä-Jarkko

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Appendix tables

• Appendix table 1. Year-on-year change in turnover in trade industries, % (TOL 2008) (15.4.2016)

Figures

• Appendix figure 1. Turnover of motor vehicles, wholesale and retail trade, trend series (TOL 2008) (15.4.2016)

Revisions in these statistics

• Revisions in these statistics (15.4.2016)

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Updated 15.04.2016