European passenger car sales grew by 11.2%, according to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).
In total, 1,891,583 cars were sold across the continent in March – beating Europe’s pre-recession peak to an all-time record. The ACEA said the extremely high growth was mainly due to Easter falling in March last year and in April this year, however.
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This figure was driven by double digit growth in Italy (18.2%), Spain (12.6%) and Germany (11.4%), although both Britain and France sales increased over the period.
All but three economies witness growing sales, with Greek sales improving by almost 50%, year-on-year, albeit from a low base. Total Greek sales for the month were 9,445, up from 6,316.
The only European economies which didn’t grow were Finland, Ireland and Portugal.
All the major manufacturing groups grew their sales over the period. Renault Group sales increased 14.4% year-on-year in the month to 180,481, slightly more than the 178,810 PSA Group sold, lifting Renault Group sales to second overall in the month. PSA sales for the whole of 2017 remained ahead, however.
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By GlobalData
