Sales of new cars grow in Europe

European new-car sales grew by no less than 9.1% in July, equating to 8.6% year-to-date, JATO Dynamics, the motor industry analysts say.

Volkswagen continues to lead the market, as the Passat joins the Golf and Polo in the top five while Ireland, Spain and Czech Republic posted the strongest growth in July JATO reported. This is just above the 8.6% growth registered so far in 2015.

• The total new-car market in Europe has now recorded 23 consecutive months of growth
• Ireland car registrations were up by 47.6% compared to July 2014, while growth in Spain and Czech Republic exceeded 20%
• All of the top ten models and top ten brands recorded higher year-to-date sales than the year before The European new-car market, therefore, entered the second half of 2015 in good health, with total volume across the continent 9.1% higher in July than a year ago, marking 23 consecutive months of growth
• Ireland, Spain and the Czech Republic performed well in July, with Ireland recording a 47.6% increase in July registrations due to a strong economic recovery (registrations are up by 30.3% year-to-date) and the mid-year registration-plate change introduced in 2013 becoming more established, rivalling the longer- running January spike in purchases
• Most European markets are performing well, with 25 of the 29 included in JATO’s registration data reporting sales growth compared to 2014. Of the remaining four markets, Luxembourg is the only country to see sales fall by more than 2%

Brian Walters, Vice President of Data at JATO Dynamics, commented. "The markets that suffered most at the height of the economic downturn a few years ago, such as Ireland, Spain and Portugal, are now among the fastest growing markets in Europe as consumer confidence has returned".

The Volkswagen brand maintained its lead of the European car market, with a 7.7% increase in volume, during July, almost matching the overall market growth, and its 8.9% year-to-date growth beating the market average. Ford took second position in overall sales, ahead of Opel/Vauxhall, Renault and Peugeot. All of the top ten brands have increased sales year-to-date.