By the end of April, 3,640,211 vehicles had been registered for the first time in the EU, about 42,000 fewer than in the same period last year, according to data released today by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Even so, in April alone, sales exceeded those of the same month last year by 1.3%, with 913,716 vehicles registered.

According to ACEA, in a statement, this improvement ‘shows signs of recovery, despite the current economic environment of global unpredictability’.

Sales in April were mixed in the four main European markets, showing positive signs in Spain (7.1%) and Italy (2.7%) and negative signs in France (-5.6%) and Germany (-0.2%).

Electric cars continue to conquer the European market (+26.4% year-on-year), accounting for 15.3% of sales in April, according to ACEA.

In the first four months of the year, sales of hybrid and electric vehicles grew by 20.8% to 1,285,486, with notable growth in France (44.9%), Spain (35%), Italy (15%) and Germany (11%).

By brand, Tesla sales halved in this segment, while Chinese car manufacturers recorded gains.

Among combustion engines, sales of petrol cars fell by 20.6%, with declines in all major markets, notably 35.2% in France, 26.6% in Germany, 14.4% in Italy and 12.7% in Spain.

With 1,041,176 registrations, the share of new petrol cars fell by seven percentage points compared to a year ago, to 28.6%.

Diesel also saw a 26.4% drop, to a 9.6% share in April.

Compared to the same month last year, there was a decrease of 20.6% for petrol vehicles and 24.4% for diesel vehicles.