European new car sales remained buoyant, posting a 1% year-on-year rise (or 12,349 units) to 1,289,170 units in January, according to UK-based analysts JATO Dynamics.
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Whilst Volkswagen remains Europe’s best selling brand, manufacturers with significant new model introductions have benefited from the greatest growth in market share, JATO said. It noted that the recently redesigned Opel/Vauxhall Corsa has been particularly well received and accounts for an 8% improvement in market share for the brand compared to this time last year.
Fiat’s successful new Grande Punto and Panda models have played a significant role in the company’s 4.8% improvement, whilst the star of the top 10 performers is Toyota which has risen by 22% thanks to the Aygo and new Yaris and RAV 4 models.
“Predictably, the introduction of the new MINI has seen the brand post a 22.9% rise as customers begin to take delivery of the new car in its core markets of the UK, France and Germany,” JATO said.
With 39,393 units sold, the Corsa was Europe’s best selling model, while the Grande Punto was in second place with 36,625 units sold. The Renault Clio, Peugeot 207, Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, VW Golf, Opel/Vauxhall Astra, VW Passat and Fiat Panda rounded-up the top 10.
The majority of core European markets have experienced growth in January 2007 compared to this time last year, with the Norwegian market up a significant 70%.
One significant exception is Germany which recorded a 10.5% drop in volume following a revised taxation structure that was introduced at the beginning of the year.
