European new car sales continue YOY growth – JATO Dynamics

JATO Dynamics’ latest report suggests that the European new car market is showing no sign of slowing down. July sales are up 5.4 per cent year-on-year, with the majority of Europe’s bigger markets in positive growth for the month. The five largest markets have all grown year-to-date.

Spain saw the best performance, where government incentives led to double-digit growth of 11.3 per cent for the month. Great Britain (+6.6 per cent) and Italy (+5.3 per cent) also performed well during July, while Germany returned to growth of 6.8 per cent following a slight fall in June. France saw a sales drop of 4.3 per cent in July, but growth remains up 1.9 per cent on year-to-date sales.

Out of the countries studied, 22 of the 29 registered growth compared to July last year. Sweden continues to impress with sales growth up 12.7 per cent on the same month last year and a 17.1 per cent increase year-to-date. Elsewhere, the Czech Republic recorded another month of double-digit growth, with sales increasing 21.8 per cent year-on-year and Switzerland started to reverse its year-on-year decline with growth of 4.3 per cent compared to July last year.

Monthly sales for July increased considerably from last year in Ireland (+61.6 per cent) and Portugal (+30.6 per cent), although both markets started from a low base. Ireland benefitted from a split registration system, which gave consumers a better choice in buying their new car mid-year rather than during the busy first quarter.

The Volkswagen Golf remains the top selling model in Europe and led the way for Volkswagen with a sales increase of 10.9 per cent for July and 13.7 per cent year-to-date. Audi’s A3 recorded a 23.0 per cent increase in sales for the month, putting its year-to-date sales at +29.3 per cent.

Other strong performers included the third-placed Renault Clio (+11.9 per cent) and Opel/Vauxhall’s Corsa (+16.7 per cent) in fifth place.

Outside of the top 10, Skoda’s impressive month saw a sales increase for both their Rapid and Yeti models while the Fabia also performed well, with sales almost level with last year despite serious competition in the B-segment.

Compact crossover vehicles such as the Dacia Duster (+85.5 per cent) and the Opel/Vauxhall Mokka (+62.4 per cent) proved to be popular choices during July. This segment also saw another surge in demand for the newly introduced Renault Captur and Peugeot 2008.

Gareth Hession, Vice President of Research at JATO Dynamics, commented: “Based on this month’s performance there are no signs that the European new car sales recovery is slowing down. Gains remain steady across most European countries, particularly amongst a number of key larger markets, and I expect this to continue in August, therefore delivering a full year of overall sales growth.”