The total number of new cars sold in 25 of the 27 European Union states not including Cyprus and Malta, where no data was given, reached just over 13.11 million.

Germany stood out among the big national markets for having posted an 8.8-percent increase, and with 3.17 million units moved, saw almost a million more units sold than the next biggest individual market in France.

Unemployment and austerity-ravaged Spain's sales of new cars slumped by 17.7 percent, those in Italy by 10.9 percent, across Britain a 4.4-percent drop was recorded and sales in France also shrank by 2.1 percent.

In December, sales in France shrank by 17.7 percent compared with November.

Europe's number one automaker, Germany's Volkswagen, whose portfolio also includes Audi, Seat and Skoda brands, shifted 3.045 million units in 2011, a 7.5-percent rise.

BMW posted an almost identical rise, although a third German manufacturer Daimler -- responsible for Mercedes and Smart cars -- saw near-stagnant sales up 0.2 percent.

French carmakers PSA Peugot Citroen -- Europe's number two -- and Renault posted big falls, of 9.0 percent and 8.4 percent respectively, while Italy's Fiat saw sales slump by 8.4 percent over the year.

Nissan, Hyundai and Kia brands each logged double-digit increases.