While global sales fell by 6.5 percent to $20.09 billion in February, Europe and Japan saw month-to-month sales declines much lower than the two other regions tracked by the SIA.

Japan declined by only 3.3 percent to $3.67 billion with Europe down by 4.4 percent to $3.3 billion. The biggest fall was in the Americas region, down by 8.3 percent to $3.4 billion, while Asia Pacific declined 7.7 percent to sales of $9.69 billion.

Europe's performance of late seems even better when looking at the important three-month-moving-average sales figures. In a market that declined by 10.9 percent overall between the September to November averages of $22.55 billion to $20.09 billion for sales covering December 2006 to February 2007, Europe showed the slowest decline, 9.6 percent to $3.33 billion.

Again, the Americas region fared worst, dropping from $3.97 billion to $3.4 billion, with Japan and the Asia Pacific region declining by 10.5 percent and 10.2 percent respectively.

Year-to-year sales were up 4.2 percent globally, from $19.28 billion in February 2006 to $20.09 billion for this February. Within that, Europe managed a 7.2 percent rise, while again the Americas region fared poorest, declining during the 12 months by 8.6 percent. Asia Pacific was up 10.1 percent from $8.8 billion.

"All product segments and geographic areas registered lower sales in February compared to the immediate-prior month," commented George Scalise, the SIA's president. However, he added that even with the seasonal decline, sales are running ahead of last years record pace.

By: DocMemory
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