April Sales in Europe Up 9%

Carmakers delivered 1.32 million vehicles across Europe last month compared with 1.21 million units in April 2015, the ACEA trade group reports.

All five of Europe’s largest markets posted gains. Sales expanded in Germany (+8% to 315,900), the U.K. (+2% to 189,500), France (+7% to 182,900), Italy (+12% to 167,000) and Spain (+21% to 100,300).

Sales for Volkswagen Group continued to trail the market, rising 5% to 334,500 units in April. VW brand deliveries gained 3% to 159,100 cars. But the group lost nearly one point of market share in Europe last month and sagged to a five-year low of 23.9% for January-April, according to ACEA.

Every other major carmaker in Europe reported higher volumes last month. Sales rose for PSA Group (+6% to 136,100), Renault (+5% to 133,300), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+14% to 89,600), Ford (+4% to 89,100) and Opel (+7% to 82,900).

BMW Group (+12% to 84,600 vehicles) outsold rival Daimler (+22% to 82,600) last month. But in the luxury segment, Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz unit (+23% to 72,800 vehicles) handily outpaced the BMW brand (+11% to 67,800). VW’s Audi unit surpassed both marques, as sales jumped 10% to 77,100 units.

European sales of Asian brands grew 12% to 236,000 vehicles last month. The sector’s biggest increases came from Toyota (+12% to 52,800 units), Hyundai (+15% to 44,000), Kia (+14% to 38,200) and Honda (+56% to 11,500). Nissan sales gained 1% to 41,700 vehicles.