European passenger car sales got off to a strong start in January, according to European automobile manufacturers association ACEA.

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After several months of stagnation at the end of 2005, 1,232,701 cars were sold in the European Union last month, up 3% year on year.


Add in the three EFTA countries of Iceland, Norway and Switzerland and sales rise to 1,259,267 units, an increase of 2.6%.


In the major markets, strong growth was seen in Germany (+10.8%), and Italy (+10.7%). In contrast, sales fell dramatically in the United Kingdom (-13.3%), which Reuters attributed to the ending of a 3% tax break that had boosted demand at the end of 2005.


Demand in the new EU states fell 4.9%, because of a decline in sales in the largest market, Poland (-16.4%). This was despite 12% growth in the second largest market, Hungary, and strong double digit growth in the Baltic states (more than 50% in both Latvia and Lithuania).

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Volkswagen was the clear winner in January, with group sales up 19.4% to 247,514 units, equivalent to market share of 19.7% or almost a fifth. All group brands recorded growth, but the Volkswagen brand, benefiting from strong sales of the new Passat and Fox, increased sales by over 25%, to 132,457 units, giving it a market share of 10.5%. Seat increased sales by 22%, Audi by 11% and Skoda by 9%.


Fiat was the other major brand to benefit in January with sales up 17.9% to 105,303 units, for a market share of 8.4%, boosting the Italian market. Fiat brand sales rose 23.2% with deliveries of the new Punto now well under way.


The big losers were Renault (-17%), DaimlerChrysler (-8.3%) and Toyota (-8.2%).