In 2015, car sales in the EU rose to 13,713,526 pcs, i.e. 9.3 per cent compared with the previous year. The EU market has been showing growth for the 28th consecutive month, and in December of the last year it amounted to 16.6%, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association reports.

In December 2015, the car market in the EU showed a significant recovery (+16.6%) and reached 1,109 927 pcs. In almost all countries (except Ireland) markets showed growth.

On the whole, the number of vehicle registrations increased by 9.3% up to the total of 13,713,526 pcs in 2015. However, this result is about the same level as in the year 2010, when the car market began to recover after the economic crisis. That is, despite the positive trend in absolute terms, sales volumes still remain low.

The top 5 of major car markets is as follows:

Germany – 3,206,042 pcs (+5,6%)

Great Britain –2,633,503 pcs (+6,3%)

France – 1,917,226 pcs (+6,8%)

Italy – 1,574,872 pcs (+15,8%)

Spain – 1,034,232 pcs (+20,9%).

The most significant growth compared with the last year showed the markets of Ireland: + 29.8% (124,945 cars sold in the year 2015), Cyprus: +25% (10,344 pcs), Portugal: +25% (178,496 pcs), the Czech Republic: +20% (230,857 pcs) and Spain: +25% (1,034,232pcs).

Among the European manufacturers in the European Union in 2015 year the leader was VW Group (the manufacturer of Volkswagen, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati), which accounted for 24.6% of the market. Its sales reached 3,377,799 pcs (+6.1%).

Second place was taken by PSA Group (10,6% of the market), which includes such makes as Peugeot, Citroen and DS. The Group sold 1,488,819 cars in the past year (+6.2%). On third place is Renault Group (Renault and Dacia, 9,7% of the market) – 1,334,556 cars manufactured (+9,2%). The top 5 also includes European Ford (7,3% of the market) – 999,224 pcs (+8,6%) and Opel Group (Opel/Vauxhall, Chevrolet etc., 6,8% of the market) — 928,712 pcs (+2,4%).