Car Sales Climb 7% in Europe

January deliveries of new passenger vehicles across Europe rose 7% to 1.3 million units, according to industry association ACEA.

Among the region’s five largest markets, sales rose in Germany (+12% to 269,400 vehicles), France (+3% to 156,800), Italy (+3% to 177,800) and Spain (+20% to 101,700). Deliveries dropped 6% to 163,600 units in the U.K., marking the 10th consecutive month of year-on-year shrinkage.

All European makes reported gains in January except for Jaguar Land Rover, whose sales dropped 6% to 15,500 units.

Year-on-year monthly increases last month were led by Volkswagen Group (+9% to 316,800 vehicles), PSA (+12% to 134,700, excluding Opel/Vauxhall) and Renault Group (+10% to 116,600).

Fiat Chrysler Automotive and Ford posted January increases of 1% to 83,500 units and 2% to 84,900 units, respectively.

BMW Group (+5% to 76,700 units) outsold Daimler (+2% to 74,400), but Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz unit (+3% to 67,500 vehicles) maintained its sales lead over the BMW brand (+2% to 62,100).

Among Asian brands, January deliveries advanced 8% to 68,300 units for Toyota and jumped 15% to 45,200 units for Hyundai. Kia sales climbed 6% to 37,200 vehicles. Nissan’s volume shrank 2% to 42,900 units. ACEA did not post January results for Mazda, Mitsubishi or Suzuki.​​​​