Car registrations in Europe fell in July and August, but at a slower rate than in previous months, according to industry data published on Thursday.

This signals a modest recovery in Europe’s auto industry, which is slowly trying to get back on its feet after suffering a massive coronavirus-led blow.

New car registrations in July were down by 3.7% year-on-year to 1,281,740 vehicles in the European Union, Britain and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries, according to statistics from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA). 

Sales plunged a further 17.6% in August to 884,394 vehicles, with all countries, bar Cyprus, registering losses compared to the same time last year. Registrations in Germany and France fell at a fast rate, while sales also tumbled in Italy, the data revealed. 

The downbeat figures arrived following even bigger declines in June and May, when sales were down 24.1% and 56.8%, respectively.

Volkswagen Group recorded a 24.2% sales drop in August, while registrations for Renault and PSA Group fell 22.8% and 19%, respectively. 

However, luxury automaker BMW saw a 6.3% rise in sales, against a 17.4% drop for rival Daimler. 

Sales plunged by roughly a third during the first eight months of the year, as the coronavirus pandemic forced carmakers to shutdown factories and showrooms across the continent.