The firm’s data shows that the European new car market decreased by 5.3% in August compared to August 2012, contributing to the 5.2% deficit year-to-date.

Four of the “Big Five” markets all experienced a decrease in sales for both the month and year-to-date, with Spain posting the largest decrease for the month of August, down 23.0% on 2012, and France for year-to-date, down 9.8% on the same period in 2012.

Great Britain, however, posted increases for both August and year-to-date, increasing sales by 10.9% and 10.4% respectively compared to 2012.

Of the top 10 manufacturers, only three brands posted an increase for August; Renault were up 0.8%, Mercedes 5.9% and BMW 9.3% compared to 2012; only one however, Mercedes, posted an increase for the year-to-date, up 3.9% over the same period in 2012.

Nine of the top 10 manufacturers have posted a decrease in sales for the year-to-date; even market leader Volkswagen wasn’t exempt from the overall downturn. BMW, however, saw only a nominal decrease in YtD figures; selling only 502 fewer cars, this equated to just a 0.1% decrease on the same period in 2012.

Also performing well in August was Audi; even with decreases for the month and year-to-date (down 6.7% and 3.6% respectively), the premium brand finished in second place in the monthly top 10. The last time Audi reached this position was August 2012.

Looking at the top 10 models, the BMW 3 Series reached fourth place with an increase of 47.0% over 2012, selling more units than popular models like the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208 in August, while YtD sales are up 19.6%, helped by the new Touring (estate) and GT (hatchback) versions.

Meanwhile the Audi A3 (including S3 and RS3 variants) finished the monthly European sales table in sixth with an increase of 42.1% and is also up 19.6% YtD. The Renault Clio finished second in both monthly and year-to-date tables, with increases of 13.1% for the month and 19.0% YtD compared to the same periods in 2012.

Remaining dominant however is the Volkswagen Golf; sales of the model dipped slightly in August resulting a 6.5% decrease for the month, but remain strong overall, up by 0.1% year-to-date.

Gareth Hession, vice president of research at JATO Dynamics, commented: ‘August’s results demonstrate the popularity of premium brands, with Audi finishing the month in second position, while Mercedes was the only manufacturer to post increases for both the month and year-to-date. BMW are enjoying success too; new variants of the 3-Series have elevated the model to fourth place with an increase of almost 50% over 2012, outselling popular models like the Ford Fiesta and Peugeot 208. Although the overall market continues to decline, it is clear consumers are still prepared to pay for premium brands.’