Total European new car sales rose by 6.1% in October to 1,256,353 units.

The largest market in the region in October was Germany, with total new car registrations of 293,832 units, according to data from Jato Dynamics.

The fastest-growing new car market was Lithuania, where sales were up by 72% compared with the same period in 2005. The sharpest decline in registrations was in Cyprus, where sales fell by 49% compared with the same period in 2005.

Overall European sales of new cars in the 10 months to October of 2006, were 13,317,175 units, which was an increase of 161,766 units or 1.2% compared with the same period in 2005.

Brand performance
Volkswagen (up 4%) was Europe’s top-selling car brand in October 2006, ahead of Renault (up 0.5%), Opel/Vauxhall (up 10%), Ford (up 6.1%) and Peugeot (up 17%).

Top models
The Renault Clio (36,857 units, up 22%, new model) led the European car market in October 2006 ahead of the Volkswagen Golf (36,525 units, up 4%), Opel/Vauxhall Astra (32,829 units, up 10%), new Peugeot 207 (30,974 units), Fiat Punto (30,664 units, up 36%, new model), Ford Focus (29,222 units), Volkswagen Passat (28,626 units, up 1%), Ford Fiesta (25,039 units, up 0.5%), Volkswagen Polo (24,990 units, up 2%) and revised Renault Scénic/Grand Scénic (24,529 units).