Europe’s Monthly Car Sales Grow 10%

New passenger vehicle registrations throughout Europe climbed 10% to 1.20 million units in January, ACEA reports.

Every country in the region, which excludes Russia, posted gains, except for Ireland (-2% to 39,000 units).

Four of Europe’s five largest national markets posted double-digit sales increases last month: Germany (+11% to 241,400 units), U.K. (+3% to 174,600), Italy (+10% to 171,600), France (+11% to 153,000) and Spain (+11% to 84,500).

All carmakers solid gains last month except for Mazda (-9% to 18,200 units), Jaguar Land Rover (-3% to 16,500) and Honda (-8% to 11,600).

Monthly sales rose for market leader Volkswagen (+10% to 290,800 units), including a 10% gain for VW brand vehicles (+10% to 140,300).

January deliveries also climbed for PSA (+7% to 121,900 units), Renault (+10% to 108,100), Ford (+10% to 83,900), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+15% to 83,800) and Opel (+5% to 75,400).

Group sales by Daimler and BMW grew 14% and 10%, respectively. Daimler, with sales of 72,965 units, outsold its rival by only 41 vehicles.

Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz luxury brand gained 16% to 65,800 units compared with an 11% increase to 60,800 vehicles for BMW’s namesake brand. VW’s Audi unit posted sales of 63,700 cars and crossovers, up 3%.

ACEA says Asian marques, led by Toyota (+12% to 62,200 vehicles), saw their combined sales in January rise 6% to 241,000 units. The total represents 20% of the EU+EFTA market.