The industry association forecast the first downturn in EU car sales in seven years on trade tensions and new regulations aimed at lowering emissions. 

The better-than-expected quarterly earnings indicate that measures by Hyundai Motor heir-apparent Euisun Chung to revamp the image of the automaker are beginning to pay off.

Toyota's growth plan in Europe includes the launch of 40 new or updated electrified vehicles including plug-in hybrids and a battery-powered Lexus SUV.

Renault said it will benefit in 2020 from full-year sales of the new Clio and Captur, and a full-electric version of the Twingo.