Despite continuing economic uncertainty and diminishing consumer confidence, the European car market registered growth in July 2019, as registrations were up by 1.2% to 1,325,600 units, according to JATO Dynamics. Although the growth was marginal, it marks a significant improvement on the drop seen in June, when registrations fell by 7.9%.

However, the result is not significant enough to offset the market’s overall performance so far in 2019, with year-to-date figures showing 9,723,400 vehicles have been registered—a 2.5% drop on the same period last year.

Registrations of BEV, PHEV, HEV and other electric vehicles totalled 96,600 units in July—as demand increased by 29% from July 2018. The fuel type also saw a market share increase from 5.8% to 7.4%.

Even if they still makeup a comparatively marginal part of the overall market, electric vehicles are definitely becoming the industry’s bright spot during these challenging times.

—Felipe Munoz, JATO’s global analyst

The growth seen in July was driven by the midsize and small markets, as 14 of the 27 countries analysed in JATO’s insights saw increases. Again, the situation is not as positive in the year-to-date figures, where only 10 markets have so far recorded growth.

The increase in EV’s market share came as a result of the outstanding performance of pure electric cars (BEVs), where volume was up by a huge 98% to 23,200 units. The growth was driven by Tesla—the top-selling brand—and Renault, which saw a 103% volume increase after its Zoe model became the top-selling BEV during the month.

Other notable results included Volkswagen, where volume was up by 64%, Hyundai, where volume was up by 334%, and Audi, which sold 1,735 units of the e-Tron.

Hybrid vehicles also performed well in July, as demand increased by 27% to 56,800 units. As usual, the rankings were dominated by Toyota and Lexus, but there were notable results from Mercedes, which came third, and Land Rover, whose new Evoque model became the 5^th best-selling HEV during the month.

Consumers bought 505,900 SUVs in July, as demand increased by 8.7%. This result puts fears of a deceleration in the segment to rest, which was a concern after demand for the car type slowed to the lowest recorded rate in June. However, the increase seen in July 2018 was still lower than the 35%, 18% and 12% increases seen in July 2018, July 2017 and July 2016, respectively.

Volkswagen Group led the SUV segment, as the German maker recorded 25.7% of the market share and its volume grew by 25% due to the strong result of the T-Cross, which sold 12,600 units and become Europe’s 5^th best-selling small SUV. Their volume was also boosted by big increases posted by the T-Roc (+20%), Karoq (+27%), Q3 (+34%) and Kodiaq (+59%).

VW Group also dominated the rankings by model, as its Volkswagen brand placed four models inside the top 10. The rankings were led, once again, by the Volkswagen Golf, which was followed by the Volkswagen Polo, as both models posted double-digit growth. The most surprising result of the month was the Dacia Sandero, which came third in the rankings—the best result yet for the Romanian model. Elsewhere, the Opel Corsa saw a volume increase of 28%, boosted by strong demand in Germany (+82%) and Spain (+153%).

Other solid performers in July included the Mercedes A-Class, Mini, Skoda Karoq, Audi Q3, Skoda Kodiaq, Suzuki Vitara, Jeep Renegade, Toyota RAV4, Mercedes B-Class and Hyundai Kona—where one in four registrations came from its electric model.