Europe’s new car market declined by another 3.6% last month - the seventh consecutive monthly fall, with factors such as the diesel city ban, falling consumer confidence and Brexit uncertainty blamed. 

Figures released by analysis firm Jato Dynamics show that 4.13 million new cars were registered across the continent in the first quarter of this year, down 3.2% year-on-year. 19 of the 27 countries listed posted declines, with the UK market dropping by a modest 3.4%. 

Diesel demand is down significantly again, with a 31.2% market share in March. That’s down from the same month last year (36.2%) and much lower than March 2017 (44.8%).

There is good news, however, as last month saw registrations of electrified vehicles (BEVs, PHEV and traditional hybrids) passing the 100,000 mark for the first time, with 125,400 registered. Demand grew by 31%, driven by demand from Holland, Spain, Norway and Germany in particular.