The Volkswagen Golf is once again the most popular car in Europe.

According to market analyst Polk Marketing Systems, the Golf regained the top of the registration statistics chart for Western Europe during the first half of 2004.

In the second half of the year, it was able to increase its lead by a greater margin. With approximately 569,000 registrations between January and December last year, it was around 72,000 units ahead of its nearest rival.

The Golf statistics include the three-door and five-door hatchbacks, the estate, and the Bora saloon. Even counting just the hatchback version’s sales, the Golf was still ahead of the second best-selling vehicle.

In the UK total sales of Volkswagen’s best-selling car amounted to 69,784 during 2004.