CAR registrations in Europe have moved into the fast lane. In March 1.9m cars were registered on the continent, a rise of 10.8% compared with the same month a year ago, according to JATO, an industry analyst. Europe overtook its previous record for March and slipped past America to become the world’s second-biggest car market, behind China. Five big countries accounted for 1.5m vehicle registrations between them. Registrations in Germany jumped by 11.4%, to 360,000. Those in Italy soared by 17.4%, to 227,000, as its economy, along with others in southern Europe, continued to catch up with the north. Britain also had a bumper month, registering 562,000 cars, 8.4% more than in March of last year. Government incentives (and in some cases impending tax rises) played a part, as did rising consumer confidence. Figures for the first quarter were up in all but one country, Ireland, compared with a year earlier.

Europe’s car market may have hit top gear, but the dominant firm appears to have stalled. The Volkswagen (VW) brand managed to retain a slim lead over Ford, its nearest rival, but the latter’s growth was four times brisker. The Golf, VW’s best-selling model, was overtaken for the first time in seven years, ceding first place to Ford’s Fiesta, which roared into the lead with sales up by 12%, while those of the Golf crashed by 17%. But VW Group, which also includes Audi, Skoda and SEAT, still holds pole position in Europe. Its overall first-quarter results beat expectations. The Golf may be going through nothing more than a temporary bumpy ride.