THE majority of European countries ended 2004 on a high after recording an increase in new car sales for the year. Only three countries out of the original EU15 noted a fall in registrations, latest figures reveal. However, last year's new entrants into the EU collectively saw sales fall for the full year, according to figures produced by the Association of European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA).

Total European sales were up by 1.8% to 15,337,418 units, up from 15,073,418, while European Union sales increased by 1.6% to 14,940,827 units, from 14,703,303.

A spokesman for the ACEA said: 'Cumulative figures for the year 2004 show increases in 12 countries out of the 15, ranging from +25.4% in Denmark to +0.2% in France, with only three countries posting negative results, ranging from -0.5% in the UK to -3.2% in Finland.'

Country		Jan-Dec 04		Jan-Dec 03		Variance
Austria		310,439		300,121		+3.4%
Belgium		484,757		458,796		+5.7%
Denmark		120,484		96,076		+25.4%
Finland		142,642		147,405		-3.2%
France		2,013,712		2,009,246		+0.2%
Germany		3,266,826		3,236,938		+0.9%
Greece		289,753		257,293		+12.7%
Ireland		154,141		145,223		+6.1%
Italy		2,258,861		2,247,043		+0.5%
Luxembourg		48,234		43,620		+10.6%
Netherlands		483,885		488,841		-1.0%
Portugal		197,521		189,792		+4.1%
Spain		1,517,518		1,382,109		+9.8%
Sweden		264,246		261,206		+1.2%
UK		2,567,269		2,579,050		-0.5%
EU15		14,120,288		13,842,759		+2.0%
Iceland		11,968		9,885		+21.1%
Norway		115,645		89,921		+28.6%
Switzerland		268,978		270,309		-0.5%
Czech Republic		1342,973		149,546		-11.1%
Estonia		16,513		15,602		+5.8%
Hungary		211,862		208,426		+1.6%
Latvia		11,256		8,731		+28.9%
Lithuania		9,408		7,543		+24.7%
Poland		318,111		353,635		-10.0%
Slovakia		57,430		57,513		-0.1%
Slovenia		62,986		59,548		+5.8%
EU (new members)		820,539		860,544		-4.6%
Total Europe		15,337,418		15,073,418		+1.8%