The latest market figures produced by Jato show that the European car market declined by 2.7% in November, compared to the same month last year. This brings the year to date decrease to a more modest 1.1%. Of the ‘big five’, only Germany saw its sales increase in November, up by 9%, while Spain was down 19%, Italy 11%, the UK 5% and France was virtually unchanged. Total sales in Europe were exactly 30,000 down on last year, at 1,067,000 units. Year to date sales stand at just over twelve and a half million.

In model terms, the Golf remains the best selling car (38,000), followed by its stablemate the Polo. Fiesta, Corsa, Clio and Astra follow, all with sales in the 22-24,000 band. In brand terms, Volkswagen, at 135,000 for the month, is around 50,000 ahead of Renault and Ford. Opel/Vauxhall and Peugeot occupy fourth and fifth spots. Of the top five, only Volkswagen recorded an increase in the month.