European new car sales headed for fourth consecutive quarter of growth

European demand for new cars continues to grow steadily, with year-on-year sales increasing for a ninth consecutive month. According to the latest analysis from JATO Dynamics, May 2014 sales were up 4.3 percent on 2013, and year-to-date volumes were 6.2 percent higher than the same period last year.

While sales of new cars have grown in 24 of the 30 European markets covered for the year so far, eight of the top 10 brands record year-on-year sales increases for May.

European new car sales continue to be strengthened by growth in the ‘big 5’ markets, all of which have seen registrations increase year-to-date. This growth has been particularly strong in Spain and Great Britain, up 17.5 percent and 11.6 percent respectively. Both countries also performed well in May, with volumes in Spain up 18.1 percent and sales in Great Britain up 7.7 percent on 2013. Italy was the only country within the ‘big 5’ to record a year-on-year fall in sales during May, with volumes down 3.6 percent. The German market returned to growth, up 5.2 percent year-on-year, while sales in France also rose slightly, up by 0.3 percent.

Overall, year-on-year sales increased in 21 of the 30 European markets during May and 24 markets have recorded growth for the year-to-date. Performance amongst the medium-sized markets was mixed during May. Notable sales increases in countries including Denmark (+14.8%), Poland (+7.3%) and Sweden (+7.3%) were offset by decreases in Belgium (-3.5%), Switzerland (-6.5%) and Austria (-7.2%).

All of the top 10 brands increased their sales year-to-date, with eight brands recording year-on-year growth during May, Ford (-2.4%) and Fiat (-5.0 %) being the exceptions. Volkswagen (+4.4%) still holds a healthy lead as Europe’s top selling brand despite losing some of its market share, with Ford (-2.4%) and Opel/Vauxhall (+5.7%) taking second and third spots respectively.

Renault’s impressive progress since the turn of the year shows no signs of slowing down. The fourth best-selling European brand is the only one in the top 10 to achieve double-digit growth both for the month (+15.7%) and the year-to-date (+11.7%).

Outside the top 10, Skoda (+20.3%), Seat (+20.0%) and Dacia (+24.3%) all recorded impressive growth for the month. May was also a good month for Nissan (+8.0%) and Toyota (+6.0%).

Volkswagen’s Golf remains a strong seller. Growth of 16.1 percent for the month and 15.7 percent for the year-to-date have helped Europe’s best-selling model to further increase its market share.

Audi’s A3 series and Skoda’s Octavia matched the Golf in achieving double-digit growth for both the month and the year-to-date. Renault’s Clio earned second place (+22.6%) in the top 10 models, while Ford’s Fiesta (+1.0%) was third. Sales of the fourth-placed Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (-4.3%) and fifth-placed Volkswagen Polo (-4.7%) both declined in May compared to the same month in 2013.

A number of new models outside of the top 10 recorded particularly strong sales for the month, including the new versions of the Peugeot 308 (+77.3%), Seat Leon (+76.4%) and Citroen C3 (+62.2%). Small crossovers have also increased their market share, with strong demand driving high year-on-year growth in sales of the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka.

Gareth Hession, vice-president of research at JATO Dynamics, commented: “With steady year-on-year growth during May, the industry has now recorded good news for nine months in a row. All the indicators suggest that we are heading for a fourth consecutive quarter of growth in the European new car market – a very significant and encouraging milestone.”

Source: JATO Dynamics