New car sales soar in 2014

NEW CAR SALES in the UK and most of Europe are up for the first half of 2014 compared to the same period last year. The UK recorded a 10.6% rise in new cars sales against a European average increase of 5.8%.

Out of all the countries in the European market, 24 out of 30 showed an upturn in new car sales between January and June 2014. Across all markets, the top 10 car brands have shown improved sales during the same period.

Portugal showed the strongest recovery for 2014 compared to 2013 with sales up 37.7%, while Serbia fared the worst with a drop of 8.5% in sales compared to the previous six months in 2013.

Overall in the UK, 120,000 more new cars were registered in the first half of 2014 compared to the same period in 2013. This is the single largest volume increase of new cars out of the 30 European countries measured.

Renault’s Captur enjoyed the biggest sales boost in the first half of 20124, with sales up 355.8% compared to last year, while the Vauxhall Astra witnessed a small drop of 6.6%.

The research is carried out by JATO Dynamics and the company’s Gareth Hession said: ‘It has been a very positive first half of the year for the European new car market. Year-to-date growth of 5.8% and 10 consecutive months of sales increases are fantastic achievements in the current economic climate. These trends suggest the industry has every chance of extending this level of performance for the remainder of 2014.’

By Press Association reporters