Europe claws way out of industry slump with fifth straight month of growth

European automakers continue to claw their way out of the industry’s longest slump ever, posting the fifth straight month of growth in January.

The European carmakers’ association said that car sales rose 5.5 per cent in January to 935,640 units. Still, the industry’s six years of contraction set the bar low: sales were the second lowest for January in a decade.

All major markets saw growth: Britain, Spain and Germany all posted more than seven-per cent increases, and Italy, which is just shaking off recession, saw car sales grow 3.2 per cent, the second straight month of gains.

Carlos Da Silva of IHS Automotive said that despite the low volumes, the trend “is now pointing to future growth,” and automakers can switch their focus from survival to revival.