OREANDA-NEWS. Automotive market in Russia, which became in February the fourth-largest in Europe, fell to fifth place in the "European championship” at the end of last month.

According to data, received by the agency "AUTOSTAT" at National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of Europe, the leader in car sales in March was the United Kingdom, where it was sold a record number of 492,774 cars (+ 6%). According to the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and dealers (SMMT), the release of new models, coupled with affordable auto loans, and the locomotive of the market was corporate sales, which in the last month increased by 11.6% helped to achieve almost half a million mark. Second place in the "European championship" is occupied by Germany, whose car market grew by 9% to 323,039 vehicles. According to the Association of the German Automotive Industry (VDA), the retail sales showed an increase of almost 5%. The third result was shown by France – where it was sold 196,572 cars (+ 9.3%). Then Italy comes with an index of 161 303 sold cars (+ 15.1%). According to the Italian Association of Automobile Manufacturers (ANFIA), double-digit growth in car sales was recorded for the third consecutive month; therewith, positive trend increases each month, which indicates strong recovery in consumer demand. However, in quantitative terms, sales of cars in Italy are at the beginning of the 1980s. If during the consideration of the automotive market in Europe we take into account Russia, our country has fallen to fifth place of the European ranking. According to preliminary estimates of the agency "AUTOSTAT", sales of passenger cars in the last month were more than 130 million units (excluding LCV). We also add that due to incentive programs to subsidize the purchase of new fuel-efficient cars Spanish car market continues to grow - in March by 40.5% to 112,299 vehicles. As noted in the Spanish Association of manufacturers of cars and trucks (ANFAC), car sales overcame 100,000th mark for the first time in 4.5 years, and the positive trend is observed 19 consecutive months.