EU New Car Sales Rise

Published Date: 17th May 2014

New Car sales in the European Union rose by a massive 4.6% in April compared with the same month a year earlier figures have shown.

The European Automobile Manufacturer's Association (ACEA) explained; demand for new cars in the European Union rose for the eighth month in succession.

Analysts explained; discounts, government incentives and also sales of cars marketed as "nearly new" increased figures.

When car sales in the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which includes countries such as Norway and Switzerland, were included the overall figure fell slightly to 4.2% in April, the ACEA said. The EFTA saw car sales fall 5.5% in April compared with a year ago.

New car sales were at their strongest in Spain, which saw a 28.7% year-on-year rise. This helped offset a disappointing 3.6% fall in new car sales in Germany. Sales rose 1.9% in Italy, 5.8% in France and 8.2% here in the UK.

Big player manufacturers Ford, Fiat, Renault and Vauxhall showed more promising growth than premium brands, the figures also showed.

Sales of Mercedes-Benz increased by just 1.1% and rival premium brand Audi saw sales grow just 0.6%. BMW new car sales were up a little more, with a 2.3% increase. Volkswagen and Hyundai were the only big player brands to see a decline in sales for April, with a fall in sales of 0.8% and 4.4% respectively.

Sales of new cars in April for Peugeot, Renault and Vauxhall - part of US car maker General Motors - rose 5.8%, 9% and 5.1% respectively, the ACEA explained. And new car sales were up 7.3% for Ford and 3% at Fiat.