February Car Sales in Europe Jump 14%

February new-car deliveries across Europe surged to 1.1 million vehicles from 958,200 units in the same month last year, industry group ACEA reports.

All five of the region’s top markets posted strong gains for the period: Germany (+12% to 250,100 units), Italy (+27% to 172,200), France (+13% to 166,700), Spain (+13% to 97,700) and the U.K. (+8% to 83,400).

ACEA says every carmaker it tracks reported improved sales in February. Volume for market leader Volkswagen Group advanced 8% to 262,700 units. The group’s VW brand grew only 5% to 125,100 units, thereby continuing its loss of market share because of its diesel emission cheating scandal.

The market’s other high-volume producers posted-double-digit increases last month. Sales jumped for PSA Peugeot Citroen (+13% to 121,700 units), Renault (+10% to 106,700), Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+22% to 81,000), Ford (+19% to 73,400) and Opel (+18% to 71,200).

In the luxury segment, BMW Group (+14% to 67,600 units) maintained a slim lead over rival Daimler (+21% to 63,000). BMW brand sales in February climbed 15% to 55,900 vehicles, and Mercedes-Benz grew 21% to 54,600. Audi sales rose 16% to 57,800 units. Jaguar deliveries nearly tripled to 2,700 cars.

Deliveries of Asian brand vehicles in February grew 13% to 207,700 units. The biggest gainers were Toyota (+11% to 47,200 vehicles), Hyundai (+14% to 35,300), Kia (+22% to 31,300), Mazda (+45% to 17,500) and Honda (+49% to 11,800).