By Giulia Petroni 



  Passenger-car registrations in the European Union suffered a record monthly drop in April as coronavirus-related restrictions led most showrooms across the region to close for the entire month, the European Automobile Manufacturers Association, or ACEA, said Tuesday. 


  New car registrations--a reflection of sales--fell 76% on the year to 270,682 vehicles, according to the association. 


  "The first full month with Covid-19 restrictions in place resulted in the strongest monthly drop in car demand since records began," the ACEA said. 


  Among the major EU markets, Spain and Italy recorded the lowest demand, with registrations down 97% and 98%, respectively. Registrations in France fell 89%, while those in Germany decreased by 61%. 


  Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com