New models drive new car sales in Europe – JATO
Following the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association report on passenger car registrations, market research company JATO Dynamic has added its new car sales analysis for the region. The headline figures are declines of 6.1 per cent in April, the lowest monthly decline of the year so far, and 7.1 per cent in year-to-date compared to 2011. Focusing more on the top ten brands, JATO explained that Renault and Opel/Vauxhall experienced the largest fall in sales during April of 16.9 and 16.1 per cent respectively, while Volkswagen maintains top position, ahead of Ford.
Mercedes achieved the greatest increase in sales (+5.4 per cent) within the top ten brands, partly due to new or improved models such as the B-Class and C-Class. Meanwhile Citroën recorded a 4.5 per cent increase in April sales, with strong sales performances for the new DS4, DS5 and C4 Aircross models, and increased sales of the C3 model in France and Italy.
Outside the top ten, Land Rover sales increased by 54.7 per cent largely due to the success of the Range Rover Evoque, and sister brand Jaguar recorded a 47.0 per cent increase in sales following the introduction of the face-lifted XF, now available with a smaller 2.2-litre diesel engine.
Volkswagen’s Golf and Ford’s Fiesta retain first and second place amongst the top ten models sold in Europe despite a reduction in April sales of both models. The introduction of BMW’s new 3-Series saloon resulted in the model recording a 16.8 per cent increase in April sales to take ninth place in the European top ten model sales league table.
Outside the top ten, new models such as Volkswagen Up, Toyota Yaris, Audi A6 and Mercedes B-Class are achieving the greatest increases in sales.
Commenting on the findings, Gareth Hession, Vice President, Research at JATO Dynamics said: “The April sales results again demonstrate the importance of new models in driving increased sales, in an environment as uncertain and highly competitive as the European new car market.”
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