In total, the results for Germany, UK, Italy, France and Spain show registrations totalled 1.36 million new cars in March. First quarter volumes rose 8% to 2.89 million cars.

JATO added that the traditional registrations peak in the UK played a role in the growth but the biggest increase was seen in Italy, with registrations recording a 18% jump compared to the same month last year. This was possible thanks mostly to higher company car and private purchases. Despite this big increase, Italy was only the fourth largest market of the Big 5, ahead of Spain.

Volumes in the UK advanced 5% to a March record of 518,700 units, taking its year-to-date total to 771,800 cars.

France was the other big market to register a monthly increase (+7%), with YTD growth at 8% over the first quarter of 2015.

March registrations in Germany and Spain stalled at 0% and -1% respectively, though their YTD volumes were still positive at +4% in Germany and +8% in Spain.

Amongst the brands, Volkswagen remained in the lead with 137,800 new cars, though registrations dipped 2%, losing ground on its competitors by 0.77 percentage points. In addition, second placed Ford also suffered from lower demand in Spain (-27%) and in the UK (-5%), taking its Big 5 total to 115,800 units, down by 2% from March 2015. Meanwhile, Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot posted small gains, leaving Renault as the best improver among the top five best-selling brands. The French car maker was boosted by strong double-digit growth in Italy (+31%), France and the UK, as its SUV range continues to gain popularity (+65% in March).

The Volkswagen Golf topped the model ranking, with registrations rising 4% to 43,500 units, while its cumulative results since January remained stalled (+0%). Despite its low growth rate, Volkswagen’s model did better than others at the top of the table, as Ford recorded a 12% drop on its Fiesta registrations, similar to the Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (-9%) and Renault Clio (-4%). In fact, there were only two models among the top 10 to gain market share: the Fiat 500 and Opel/Vauxhall Astra. The small Fiat re-entered the top 10 with a 13% rise, due largely to strong increases in Italy, France and Spain, while the Astra recorded a 10% increase. Among the big market share winners were the Renault Kadjar, Hyundai Tucson, Opel/Vauxhall Karl/Viva, Fiat 500X and Mercedes GLC.

SUVs continued to gain popularity, with registrations up by 22% in March, and an overall 25% increase in Q1 of 2016.