Tesla, Fiat and Toyota all bucked the market's downward slide in November with significant sales increases, while Seat, VW and Ford had a bad month.

Registrations dropped despite an upsurge in private demand as the country's partial coronavirus lockdown allowed dealer showrooms to remain open.

Results varied widely, with DS, Jeep, Alfa Romeo, Land Rover and Mercedes among brands that increased sales. Brands with the biggest declines included Opel, Ford and Seat.

LMC Automotive said the effects of the latest wave of coronavirus cases will be felt into the first half of 2021. Optimistic results from vaccine trials could speed a recovery in 2021, the company said.