The firm’s figures show that volumes of new passenger car registrations in both the Private Market and the Special Channels (manufacturers, dealerships and Rent-A-Cars) outperformed last year’s December figures as well but with rather moderate rates of + 1.0% and + 3.6% respectively. The same applies for the annual growth rates (+ 3.8% / + 3.0%). The fleet business is becoming more important for the manufacturers by representing almost 25% of all new passenger car registrations all over the EU-5 markets (24.7% compared to 23.2% in the previous year).

France

The surplus in France was the lowest in all five markets with 6.1%. But this result is quite positive taking into account a stagnating Total Market (+ 0.3%) and a declining volume of registrations on Private customers (- 2.4%). The domestic car manufacturers occupied the first three ranks. Peugeot in second position reduced the gap to market leader Renault thanks to an increase of 17.6% compared to 2013. The Peugeot 308 in particular was very successful climbing on second position in the model ranking behind the Renault Clio (last year number 10). Volkswagen in fourth place behind Citroen was the strongest foreign brand in the French market.

Germany

The True Fleet Market in Germany was able to grow by 9.3% compared to 2013 surpassing 715.000 new registrations. Within the last 14 years there was only one with a higher volume on fleet customers (2011 with 719,450 passenger cars). The share of 23.6% of the Total Market represents a peak value for the True Fleet sector. Volkswagen is still the market leader followed by Audi and BMW both increasing their registrations by a double digit growth rate. Within the Top 10 brands Seat (in 9th position, + 27.1%) and Skoda (6th, + 25.5%) achieved the most impressive performance.

Italy

The Italian True Fleet Market expanded by formidable 17.2%. Fiat was dominating occupying rank number 1 - 4 in the model ranking 2014 (Panda, 500L, 500, Punto) and achieved an above-average volume growth of 22.6%. Even higher growth rates were monitored for Peugeot (7th position, + 45.7%) and Citroen (10th, + 61.9%). Their success was driven especially by the models 308 and 2008 and C4 Picasso respectively.

Spain

Spain surpassed the other four markets in terms of the percentage growth. This holds true for the Total Market but especially with regards to the fleet sector whose registrations improved by 24.3%. The two biggest brands – Volkswagen and Renault – pushed their volumes by 32.4% and 33.2% expanding the lead over Peugeot in third place. A very strong performance was achieved by Ford (7th, + 39.2%) and Mercedes (9th, + 40.5%). Within Ford the performance of the Fiesta (+94.3%) was essential. The growth of Mercedes was mainly generated by the new C-Class (+ 105.0%). The newcomer GLA was very well embraced by the market ranking already number two in the SUV segment in True Fleets in December behind the Nissan Qashqai.

UK

The biggest True Fleet Market in Europe grew again despite an already great performance in the previous year. 850,000 new car registrations were the highest score since 2007. Opel/Vauxhall kept first position in a very close battle with Ford. The market share for both brands was marginally lower than in 2013 but they are still representing 27% of all fleet registrations followed (identically with last year’s ranking) by Volkswagen, Nissan and Audi. The SUV segment was performing extraordinary well headed by the Nissan models Qashqai and Juke and followed by the Vauxhall Mokka who was even number one in December.