European new-car sales rose 5.6 percent to 1.19 million in November with Renault, Seat, Hyundai, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz gaining volume while PSA Group, Opel/Vauxhall, Volvo and Jaguar Land Rover were among automakers whose sales fell.
Registrations advanced to 1.19 million, industry association ACEA said and with this month’s still to come, sales across the European Union and EFTA countries are up 7.1 percent for the year so far.
Renault posted a 17 percent increase in sales with Renault brand’s volume up 20 percent, helped by new models such as the Espace minivan, Kadjar SUV and Megane compact. Dacia sales increased 7.7 percent.
Volkswagen Group gained market share in Europe for the first time since its diesel-emissions test cheating became known in September 2015. VW Group sales jumped 6.3 percent, propelled by a 6.8 percent increase at Audi, a 29 percent surge at Seat and 21 percent increase in Porsche sales.
The company’s main VW marque rose 0.8 percent, narrowing its market share to 11.7 percent from 12.3 percent a year ago. VW Group’s market share rose to 24.8 percent, up from 24.6 percent a year earlier.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Renault have been among the biggest beneficiaries of Volkswagen’s tarnished image. Fiat Chrysler sales gained 10 percent, with Fiat sales rising 8 percent and Jeep volume jumping 11 percent.