Brakes ease on Europe's car market The brakes have eased on Europe's new car market. The European Automobile Manufacturers Association's figures show the market shrank at a slower pace in October than in recent months. But there were double-digit dips for nearly all the big car makers as buyers remained cautious in the economic gloom. October's decline may have been the second-smallest in a year but Peugeot, Renault and GM Opel are struggling to cut costs and survive the chill of the market. Even Europe's best selling brand Volkswagen posted a dip in sales. More about: Car industry in crisis, Europe