The amount of new cars sold in Europe last month prove an almost 10 per cent go up from a year ago, according to industry figures.

The European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) exposed that total new passenger car registrations in Europe in May amounted to 1,422,408 units that represents an increase of 9.6 per cent on the May 2005 figure.

"This result is encouraging, although also due to the fact that most countries had one or two working days more with respect to May last year," the body said as it announced the figures.

Cumulative figures for the first five months of 2006 also reproduced an increase in car demand, with sales 2.4 per cent higher than in 2005 across Europe.

Four out of the five main European markets posted an augment in sales during May. Italy's increase was theatrical at 49.5 per cent, but the ACEA said that it was mainly attributable to the fact that May last year was disturb by the strike of new car transporters.

Germany knowledgeable an 8.7 per cent rise, the UK a 1.1 per cent increase and Spain seeing a 0.5 per cent boost to sales.

Only France accounts a loss for May 2006, of 3.3 per cent.