SALES of light commercial vehicles across Europe topped more than 156,000 units in January - an increase of 7%.

Most of the main markets posted increased results, except Germany where sales were down by 1.7%. Denmark noted the biggest sales increase at 40.5%.

A spokesman for the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) said: 'Sustained growth in LCV sales reflects the gradual improvement in the overall economic situation in the EU. There was no strong calendar effect as the number of working days was basically the same in January 2004, with the sole exception of Belgium, Ireland and the UK, minus one day, as well as Slovenia, plus one day.'

Latest figures produced by the ACEA show falls in Finland (-2.2%), the Netherlands (-3.3%) and Switzerland (-9.8%).

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