Car sales in Western Europe grew by 9.6% in August, according to data released by LMC Automotive. The recovery to the region's car market continued where it left off the previous month, registering a 13m units a year annualised selling rate in the month.

Among the Big Five markets, Spain continued to lead the way, achieving 23% growth year-on-year. Sales were strong in Italy too, where almost 60,000 cars were registered in August (up 11% on last year’s result) as was the French market, growing 10% year-on-year.

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The German car market was up by 6.2% in August, with sales so far this year up by 5.6% and the market on course for 3.2m units for the full year, which would be the best year since the scrappage-inflated 2009 result.

The UK car market was up by 10% during August, driven by fleet purchases.

LMC forecasts that the West European car market will reach 13m units in 2015, some 7.5% ahead of last year and comparable to the level last seen in 2009 (12.98m units).

"The regional car market recovery is in line with a general return of confidence this year and some improvement to short-term economic prospects," said LMC analyst Jonathon Poskitt. "However, a sense of caution is still needed. August is not a big month and we can see that incentives are playing a significant role in some markets. There is also a background risk that some of the stockmarket turmoil we have seen in China could spread to Europe and dent confidence at some point. Overall though, the picture continues to be one of continuing recovery." 

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