The number of new car registrations was 106,491 in November compared to 133,284 in November 2011, the ministry said. The fall was far sharper than the 12.06-percent year-on-year decline seen in October.

Over the first 11 months of the year, car sales were down 19.72 percent.

Fiat, Italy's main car maker, said it had managed to achieve a slight increase in its market share to 29.7 percent despite "a very negative market".

Fiat has been forced to rely heavily on the success of its US partner Chrysler because of the collapse in the European market. It has said it will increase the use of its production facilities in Europe for exports.