According to the latest analysis from Jato Dynamics, the Volkswagen Golf has remained Europe's best selling car, with increased sales of 18.3% in August compared to a year earlier, although

Year-to-Date sales are still 3.9% lower than 2010. The Volkswagen Polo, with sales up by 3.4%, has retained second place, while the Ford Focus narrowly beat its smaller sibling, the Fiesta, to third place in August.

Jato's key year-on-year analysis of the market for August:

  • The European new car market increased by 7.8% in August, but has declined by 1.1% Year-to-Date
  • Of the top ten models, eight recorded increased sales in August, with five recording increases of more than 10%.
  • Eight of the top ten brands recorded increased sales in August
  • The five largest car markets in Europe, Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Spain, all recorded increased sales in August compared to a year earlier

The new car market in August was very competitive, with less than 1,500 units separating the third placed Focus from the seventh placed Passat.

The Volkswagen Polo took second place ahead of the Ford Fiesta Year-to-Date. However, the new Ford Focus has clearly made an impact as it moved into third place in August with a 40.2% increase in sales.

Outside the top ten, Jeep has recorded a 46.4% increase in Year-to-Date sales, mostly resulting from increased sales of its Wrangler and Compass models in Italy with the brand now available through Fiat's large dealer network, and benefitting from increased marketing.

Lexus has also recorded significantly increased sales for the Year-to-Date, up 30.7%, following the introduction of the new CT200h model as an entry model to the brand's range.

Commenting on the findings, Gareth Hession, vice president, research said: "The increased sales in the European market in August are certainly welcome news for the industry. Hopefully this momentum can be maintained, but we are all aware that there is still much economic uncertainty across the continent."

Author: Fleet News