The biggest market in Europe was the UK which posted a 5.3% uplift on an already record sales base thank to the new ‘16’registration plate.

German passenger car sales were completely flat in March at 322,913 units, which indicated a positive and stable market development, with combined sales for the first quarter rising by 4.5% y/y to 791,424 units, according to the latest data released by the KBA.

In the French market, the passenger car category's monthly registrations are up 7.5% y/y to 211,264 units. This has put its first-quarter registrations at 516,392 units, an increase of 8.2% y/y.

The Italian passenger car market has improvement further in March as momentum continues in this market. Registrations during the month have increased by 17.4% y/y to 190,426 units. This has further positively contributed to its YTD performance; registrations for the first quarter now standing at 519,256 units, a gain of 20.8% y/y.

After a 30-month run of gains, the Spanish market recorded a dip during March of 0.7% y/y to 111,512 units. However, gains in the first two months of the year put its quarterly rise at 6.9% y/y to 285,495 units.

The passenger car market in the UK has reached its highest monthly total ever during March to hit 518,707 units, an increase of 5.3% y/y. Overall, the boost seen during March has resulted in registrations in the quarter growing by 5.1% y/y to 771,780 units.

Commenting on the market outlook, IHS Automotive said: “It remains to be seen how long the positive factors that have fuelled the current strong performance in the Western European will last, but for the time being the ongoing positive outlook appears set to remain. For the full year IHS Automotive forecast a 3% y/y uplift in WE passenger car sales to 13.6 million units.”