 | Top 10 vehicles by sale 2006 1) Volkswagen: 3,111,855 2) Peugeot Citroen: 2,019,540 3) Ford: 1,623,532 4) General Motors: 1,585,022 5) Renault: 1,324,119 6) Fiat: 1,156,152 7) DaimlerChrysler: 922,461 8) Toyota: 896,831 9) BMW: 793,077 10) Nissan: 313,507 Total European sales 15,364,997 Source: European Automobile Manufacturers Association |
European car sales rose only marginally in 2006, despite strong economic growth which usually boosts sales, industry figures show. Volkswagen sold the most vehicles and Italy's Fiat saw the largest yearly increase in 2006, up nearly 17%.
French firms did poorly compared with 2005 with Renault sales down 11% and Peugeot falling 2%.
Germany's car market grew but the UK and others contracted, in the wake of higher fuel prices and interest rates.
As well as Britain; sales in Spain, France and Italy all fell at the end of last year, figures from the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) show.
German car sales increased by 3.8% in 2006 while Italian sales added 3.7%. Meanwhile, UK car sales fell by almost 4% and Spain sold 2% fewer vehicles.
US car firms did not do well - with Ford experiencing a slight slide of 0.7% and General Motors dropping 2.7%.
In more positive news, German luxury car brands saw improved sales, with DaimlerChrysler - owner of the Mercedes brand - up 0.8% for the year.
One-Minute World News 
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