Dealerships have reopened in most European markets and automakers have restarted plants, fueling hopes that April will mark the trough, followed by a recovery similar to the one in China.

Germany was Europe's top market for battery-powered car registrations in the first quarter followed by France and the UK.

Lockdowns and production stoppages are starting to ease, but worries about new infections and consumer confidence remain obstacles to a quick recovery for automakers, experts say.

The Model 3 was Britain's top-seller because Tesla's online ordering system allowed contactless deliveries to customers during the coronavirus lockdown.