It has been revealed that there was a strong jump in European car sales during August, with BMW and Volkswagen leading the way.

Statistics released by the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers Association (EAMA) show that sales during August across the car sector rose by 7.5 per cent compared to the same month last year.

That surge comes on the back of a slow start to the 2005 European car market, resulting in sales falling overall by 0.5 per cent during the first eight months of the year compared to 2004.

Germany, Europe's largest car market, has seen strong sales during August, which the EAMA explains is partly due to the fact that the average age of a car in the country has now reached a record seven years.

Europe's largest car maker, the Volkswagen group, announced a massive 20 per cent increase in sales during August compared to the previous year, which was led by a 27 per cent increase in its flagship brand, Volkswagen.

BMW also put in a good performance, posting a 14 per cent increase in sales during the month.

The promising figures come following comments by the head of Volkswagen's VW brand group, Wolfgang Bernhard, who recently predicted an upturn in the US car market.


Ÿ Adfero Ltd