According to the latest analysis from JATO Dynamics, the world’s leading provider of automotive intelligence, the European new car market experienced its worst start to a year since 2009 as economic uncertainty continues across the Euro zone.

The top selling brand in Europe was Volkswagen with 1,678,279 units (+9.1%) followed by Ford with 1,087,912 (-2.8%) and Renault with 1,038,313 (-8.8%). Out of the top ten brands in 2011, only Volkswagen, BMW, Audi and Mercedes ended 2011 with no reduction in sales.

Outside the top ten, Lexus sales grew 136.2% higher than January 2011 thanks to strong sales of its CT200h small premium hybrid model.

Land Rover sales are up 50.7%, bolstered by the new Range Rover Evoque model while Kia continues to gain market share, up 33.3% with sales of the new Rio supermini increasing by over 5,000 units compared to its predecessor last year.

Volkswagen’s Golf and Polo take first and second place for the top ten models sold in Europe, despite the latter experiencing a sales decrease of 11.3% in January. Ford’s Fiesta and Focus have also started the year strongly, taking third and fourth places respectively in January, with Focus sales up 7.3% on a year earlier.

Skoda’s Octavia recorded sales 22.1% higher than in January 2011, securing its place in the top 10 models for the first time.