The firm’s 2013 report shows that the European new car market ended 2013 on a high. Annual new car sales improved significantly during the second half of 2013 to finish just 1.7% behind 2012 volumes. A strong final quarter, capped by the highest monthly increase of 2013 during December, helped to bring the year-on-year deficit down from 6.7% at the mid-year point in June 2013. 

As a result, European new car volumes in 2013 were just 1.7% behind 2012 annual volumes. 

Of the 30 markets analysed, 10 ended the year ahead of 2012 volumes. Performance within the “Big Five” markets was mixed, with France, Germany and Italy all decreasing in size in 2013, while Great Britain and Spain both increased. Great Britain posted the largest annual volume increase in Europe, growing by 220,128 units or 10.8% in 2013.

December saw the largest monthly increase in new car volumes in 2013, driven by large increases in France, Germany, Great Britain, Spain and the Netherlands. Company car drivers were behind the increase in the Netherlands as they seek to avoid planned taxation changes for January 2014. Spain's volumes were in part affected by a VAT increase at the end of 2012 and enhanced in 2013 as customers took advantage of government incentives.

Volkswagen ended 2013 as the best-selling brand in Europe. Despite a decrease in yearly volumes of 3.7%, Volkswagen retains a remarkable lead of 68.6% over the next best-selling brand in 2013. Ford finished the year in second and Opel/Vauxhall in third, however both these brands also ended the year down on 2012 volumes. Of the top 10 brands, Mercedes was the only brand to post an increase for 2013, up by 4.2%. Outside of the top 10, Dacia, Seat and Mazda also all increased annual volumes by 23.6%, 11.0% and 18.3% respectively.

During December, eight of the top 10 brands posted an increase for the month, five of which increased by 20% or more.  Volkswagen again led the monthly top 10, followed by Renault and Ford.


With a clear lead over the market, the Volkswagen Golf retains the title of best-selling car in Europe for 2013, ending the year with a commanding 60.1% advantage over the next best-selling model, the Ford Fiesta. The Fiesta was the best-selling B-segment model in 2013, despite an annual fall in volumes of 4.1%.

The Renault Clio ended 2013 in third place, with an increase of 17.6% for the year, while both the Peugeot 208 and BMW 3 Series, achieved increases in 2013 also. With annual volumes up 49.3% and 14.8%, the models finished in sixth and ninth respectively.

Also making strong progress throughout 2013 was the Mercedes A-Class, Dacia Sandero, Toyota Auris, Seat Leon, Fiat 500L, Volvo V40 and Opel/Vauxhall Mokka. All of these models saw annual volumes increase by 70% or more in 2013.

Gareth Hession, vice president of research at JATO Dynamics, commented: ‘2013 started out looking like another bleak year for the European new car market, but a strong second half to the year showed promise. Although we see an overall annual deficit of 1.7% for 2013, it is worth remembering that six of these months showed growth. There have now been four consecutive months of growth, culminating in the largest single monthly increase in December 2013. If this trend continues, 2014 could prove to be a promising year for the industry.’