Brussels, 15/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - In November, sales of new cars fell by 7.1% in the EU, the eighth consecutive monthly decrease, according to figures released by the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association (ACEA) on Wednesday 15 December. In the EU as a whole, the number of new cars sold totalled 1,069,268 in November, ACEA reports, blaming the fall in sales on the economic situation and the austerity measures brought in by European countries. From January to November, sales of new cars dropped by 5.7% compared with the same period last year. In November, all major markets contracted, from -6.2% in Germany to -10.8% in France, -11.5% in the UK, -21.1% in Italy and -25.5% in Spain. The Reuters agency reports that Europe's largest manufacturer, Volkswagen, has seen a 5.9% fall in its sales in November. Globally, Japanese manufacturer Toyota's sales collapsed - down 21.8%. However, over the 11 months from January to November 2010, sales on the UK and Spanish markets were better than those recorded over the same period last year, with demand for new cars up 3.4% and 5.9% respectively. The Irish market recorded the largest growth over the same period, expanding by an extraordinary 54%. (A.By./transl.rt)