The firm’s data shows that May volumes rose 4.3% on 2013, with year-to-date volumes were 6.2% higher than the same period last year.

European new car sales continue to be strengthened by growth in the “big 5” markets, all of which have seen registrations increase year-to-date. This growth has been particularly strong in Spain and Great Britain, up 17.5% and 11.6% respectively. Both countries also performed well in May, with volumes in Spain up 18.1% and sales in Great Britain up 7.7% on 2013. Italy was the only country within the “big 5” to record a year-on-year fall in sales during May, with volumes down 3.6%. The German market returned to growth, up 5.2% year-on-year, while sales in France also rose slightly, up by 0.3%.

Overall, year-on-year sales increased in 21 of the 30 European markets during May, and 24 markets have recorded growth for the year-to-date. Performance amongst the medium-sized markets was mixed during May. Notable sales increases in countries including Denmark (+14.8%), Poland (+7.3%) and Sweden (+7.3%) were offset by decreases in Belgium (-3.5%), Switzerland (-6.5%) and Austria (-7.2%).

All of the top 10 brands increased their sales year-to-date, with eight brands recording year-on-year growth during May, Ford (-2.4%) and Fiat (-5.0 %) being the exceptions. 

Volkswagen (+4.4%) still holds a healthy lead as Europe’s top selling brand despite losing some of its market share, with Ford (-2.4%) and Opel/Vauxhall (+5.7%) taking second and third spots respectively.

Renault’s impressive progress since the turn of the year shows no signs of slowing down. The fourth best-selling European brand is the only one in the top 10 to achieve double-digit growth both for the month (+15.7%) and the year-to-date (+11.7%). 

Outside the top 10, Skoda (+20.3%), Seat (+20.0%) and Dacia (+24.3%) all recorded impressive growth for the month. May was also a good month for Nissan (+8.0%) and Toyota (+6.0%).

Volkswagen’s Golf remains a strong seller. Growth of 16.1% for the month and 15.7% for the year-to-date have helped Europe’s best-selling model to further increase its market share. 

Audi’s A3 series and Skoda’s Octavia matched the Golf in achieving double-digit growth for both the month and the year-to-date. Renault’s Clio earned second place (+22.6%) in the top 10 models, while Ford’s Fiesta (+1.0%) was third. Sales of the fourth-placed Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (-4.3%) and fifth-placed Volkswagen Polo (-4.7%) both declined in May compared to the same month in 2013.

A number of new models outside of the top 10 recorded particularly strong sales for the month, including the new versions of the Peugeot 308 (+77.3%), Seat Leon (+76.4%) and Citroen C3 (+62.2%). Small crossovers have also increased their market share, with strong demand driving high year-on-year growth in sales of the Renault Captur, Peugeot 2008 and Opel Mokka. 

Gareth Hession, vice president of research at JATO Dynamics, commented: ‘With steady year-on-year growth during May the industry has now recorded good news for nine months in a row. All the indicators suggest that we are heading for a fourth consecutive quarter of growth in the European new car market – a very significant and encouraging milestone.’