Their combined market share there, however, rose to 6.3 percent, up 0.5 percentage point from 5.8 percent a year ago. Key factors behind the increase in their market share in Europe included the fact that their rival companies suffered sharper decline in sales there.
In contrast, there are some brands that marked a positive growth in sales in Europe during the same period. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA), the number of cars sold in Europe during the January-June period of this year fell by 6.6 percent year on year to 6.20 million units.
Most car brands, including No. 1 player Volkswagen Group, suffered a decline in sales there. However, Mercedes-Benz, Kia Motors, and Honda marked a positive growth in sales. Mercedes-Benz sold 308,627 units, up 3.6 percent year on year, while Kia Motors enjoyed a 1.2 percent growth to 171,047 units, and Honda marked a robust growth of 6.4 percent to 72,979 units.
