FRANKFURT, Jan 30 (Reuters) - German auto industry association VDA confirmed at its annual news conference on Thursday it expected 3.25 million new car registrations in Germany in 2003, a rise of just one percent from last year.
VDA President Bernd Gottschalk told Reuters in an interview in December stagnant demand at home and a contraction in the world's biggest auto market, the United States, would mean another tough year for German carmakers in 2003.
He said then the VDA expected new registrations in Germany to rise to 3.25 million in 2003, or possibly 3.3 million if consumer sentiment improved after being hit by new tax plans drawn up by Germany's centre-left government.