BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - Car manufacturers sold significantly more cars in the European Union in April thanks to additional sales days. The number of newly registered cars in the EU rose by 13.7 percent to just under 914,000 compared to the same month last year, according to the industry association Acea in Brussels on Wednesday. Car sales had still fallen in March. Car manufacturers recorded significant growth in the key markets of Germany, Spain, France and Italy in particular.

Petrol and hybrid vehicles dominated the number of new registrations in April. They accounted for almost two thirds of all new cars. Battery-powered vehicles accounted for around twelve percent. The Volkswagen Group (VW, Skoda, Audi, Seat, Cupra, Porsche) remained the market leader in the EU.

According to Acea figures, 6.6 percent more cars have been newly registered since the turn of the year - the total number rose to just under 3.7 million./ngu/jsl/he