New car sales in Europe recorded a steady increase in March, exceeding one million cars, for the first time since June 2021, according to figures published by the Manufacturers Association on Wednesday.

Sales in the continental bloc last month amounted to 1,87,939 cars, an annual increase of 28.8 percent.

The markets of all EU countries witnessed an increase in sales, led by Spain (66.1 percent) and Italy (40.7 percent).

This increase is due to the remarkable improvement in the availability of electronic components, the shortage of which last year almost paralyzed the sales markets during March 2022.

The increase in sales comes even though this problem has not yet been fully resolved.

In the first quarter of 2023, new car sales in the European Union amounted to approximately 2.7 million vehicles, an increase of 17.9 percent over last year. The most significant increase was also recorded in Spain and Italy, with 44.5 and 26.2 percent, respectively, followed by France, with an increase of 15.2 percent.

Electric cars accounted for 13.9 percent of total sales in March. Within a year, sales of cars with electric motors increased by 58 percent.

However, cars with fuel engines still occupy the largest share of the market, as sales of those operating on gasoline amounted to 37.5 percent, and those operating on diesel 14.5 percent.

At the level of manufacturers, the German "Volkswagen" was the strongest performer, with an increase in sales of 35 percent.