The firm’s data shows that the market rose 14% y/y to 1,009,578 units in February boosted by the one extra working day that resulted from the leap year in February. When this positive calendar factor was taken into account the rise was 7.9% which still maintained the very positive momentum carried through from 2015, although the firm sasid there are numerous geopolitical and economic factors that could conspire to quickly derail growth.

Despite the positive start to the year which has seen a combined growth rate for the first two months of the year standing at 9.9% y/y to 2,020,734 units, IHS Automotive is forecasting a significant slowdown in the growth rate with final year sales volumes expected at the level of 1.5% y/y to 13.4 million units.

The Western European passenger car market posted a very positive result in February with a 14% y/y gain to, according to IHS Automotive forecasts. Registrations during the month have grown by 6.1% year on year (y/y) to 1,009,578 units. This result was bolstered by the extra working day of the leap year at the end of the month. The growth this month has placed the seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR) for the region at the high figure of 14.5 million units.

The German passenger car market posted a very strong uplift in February of 12.1% y/y to 250,302 units. This strong result, like the other positive results recorded by major Western European markets, was helped by the leap year, with the seasonally adjusted increase at a still healthy 7%. For the year to date (YTD), sales in the first two months of the year rose at an equally robust 7.8% y/y to 468,667 unit.

The French light-vehicle market has increased 13.0% y/y during February. Registrations of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles (LCVs) during the month increased from 176,993 units to 199,948 units. However, when the additional working day this month is taken into account – taking the number to 21 days – growth for the month stands at 7.6% y/y.

Passenger car registrations in Italy have recorded a strong performance during February. According to the latest data released by trade association UNRAE, registrations have grown by 27.3% y/y to 172,241 units. This has had a positive contribution to its YTD performance, which now stands at 327,963 units, an increase of 22.6% y/y.

After a long run of gains, the improvement in registration increases was smaller in Spain during February. Even so, according to the latest data released by Spanish trade association ANFAC, this was still up by 12.6% y/y to 97,650 units. Overall, for the first two months of the year, registrations are now up by 12.4% y/y at 173,984 units.

UK passenger car sales posted a solid rise in February with an 8.4% y/y rise to 83,395 units, according to the latest data release by Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This brought the YTD tally up to 4.7% y/y to 253,073 units.