However the latest figures from the ACEA, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, also show that June’s figure of 1,189,143 units for registrations is the second lowest level reached in a month of June since ACEA began the series in 2003 with the enlarged EU.

Germany was the only major market to shrink (-1.9%). Elsewhere, growth ranged from 2.5% in France, 3.8% in Italy, 6.2% in the UK and 23.9% in Spain, leading to a 4.5% upturn in the region. 

For the first half of 2014, new passenger car registrations totalled 6,622,996 units, up 6.5% compared to the first six months of 2013. All major markets saw growth, reaching 2.4% in Germany, 2.9% in France, 3.3% in Italy, 10.6% in the UK and 17.8% in Spain.