The western European market for new cars has fallen by 2.84% to 1,132,484 units in October compared to the same month last year.

Year-to-date, the market remained comparable with 2004; up 0.06% to 12,608,797 units, according to independent data from JATO Dynamics.

Sales in the UK, Norway, Switzerland and the Netherlands were more than 10% lower than in October 2004.

Total sales in the 'big five' markets of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK were 3% down (to 895,695 units) in October but almost level with 2004 on year-to-date performance, with total registrations in the five markets up 0.1% to 9,928,338 units for the period January to October.