The European new car market grew by 4.7% in November to a total of 1,251,670 units, which was an increase of 56,049 units (4.7%), compared with November 2005.

Data from JATO Dynamics revealed the largest market in November was Germany, with total new car registrations of 326,038 units.

The fastest-growing new car market was Latvia, where sales were up by 62% compared with the same period in 2005.

The sharpest decline in registrations was in Iceland, where sales fell by 29% compared with the same period in 2005.

Overall European sales of new cars in the 11 months to November 2006 were 14,558,973 units, which was an increase of 206,426 units or 1.4% compared with the same period in 2005.

The UK new car market in November was down by 2% compared with the same period last year, at 155,315 units. For the year-to-date, the total new car market in the UK also showed a fall, declining by 3.1% compared with the same period in 2005 to a total of 2,211,054 units.

The top-selling model in the UK in November, with sales of 7,964 units, was the Ford Focus.

EU and EFTA top selling brands November, November YTD 2006 and change vs.

2005

Top models
The Volkswagen Golf (37,800 units, up 13.8%) led the European car market in November 2006 ahead of the Vauxhall Astra (34,262 units), new Fiat Punto (32,296 units, up 20.9%), new Peugeot 207 (31,174 units), Ford Focus (30,328 units, up 5.5%), Volkswagen Passat (29,439 units, up 5.5%), Renault Clio (29,421 units), Volkswagen Polo (28,320 units, up 18.9%), Ford Fiesta (26,873 units, up 20.3%) and new Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (26,728 units, up 40.2%).

For the YTD, the Astra (411,299 units) led the Clio (406,262 units, up 32.5%), Focus (394,153 units, up 3.4%), Punto (378,417 units, up 54.9%), Golf (375,193 units), Fiesta (332,052 units, up 8.7%), Passat (309,457 units, up 35.5%), Peugeot 307 (291,786 units), Volkswagen Polo (272,354 units, up 7.5%) and BMW 3-Series (267,903 units, up 20.6%).