The number of main dealer sales networks declined by 3% across Western Europe in 2012 according to the latest edition of the European Car Distribution Handbook from Solihull-based motor research organisation ICDP. However, across 2012, the number of sale agents increased by 2%.

The number of sales outlets in the UK, the only major European market to see year-on-year growth in total car sales for 2012, fell by 1% as some franchise networks shrank and others announced plans to expand.

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Total sales outlets in Germany, the largest car market in Europe, also fell by 1%, while other major markets France and Spain dropped by 8%.

Meanwhile Lithuania saw the number of sales outlets rise by 8% and Turkey by 10%. Russia, where the Renault-Nissan Alliance invested £459m at the end of 2012 and Volkswagen witnessed a massive rise in sales last year, saw sales outlets grow by 14%.

richard.brown@timetric.com

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