European car sales get boost as figures rise for only the third time in two years New cars sales across Europe rose for only the third time in two years. Figures released for September show an overall climb of 5.4 percent in the European Union from a year ago. The figures were boosted by a surge in UK sales and an extra working day. Britain led the way with a 12 percent rise taking sales just past the 400,000 mark in new vehicles. Industry watchers have been looking for signs of recovery after the EU car market crashed to record lows in August. But one analyst warned sales have been artificially boosted by huge discounts and that it could take at least two years for the market to grow without the aid of incentives.