Latest figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) show that registrations were up 9.3% to 13,713,526 units but it added that the trend is positive although, in absolute terms, volumes remain low.  

All five EU major markets were up. Spain (+20.9%) and Italy (+15.8%) had the strongest growth in demand during the year, followed by France (+6.8%), the UK (+6.3%) and Germany (+5.6%), which posted a robust performance in 2015. 

December registrations helped boost 2015 volumes, with a 16.6% rise – the highest percentage increase since the beginning of this positive trend. Total registrations amounted to 1,109,927 units, marking the 28th consecutive month of growth.

All major passenger car markets posted gains for last month. Spain (+20.7%), Italy (+18.7%) and France (+12.5%) posted double-digit percentage gains during the month, followed by the UK (+8.4%) and Germany (+7.7%), which also performed better than in December 2014.