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New car registrations rose 4.5% to 1,093,448 units in May, the ninth consecutive month of growth.
In the first five months of the year registrations are ahead 6.9% to 5,431,921 units, according to Acea.
In May Italy was the only major market in decline, down 3.8%. All other markets showed growth, including France (+0.3%), Germany (+5.2%), UK (+7.7%) and Spain (+16.9%).
Year to date all major markets are showing growth, including France (+3.2%), Italy (+3.2%), Germany (+3.4%), UK (11.6%) and Spain (16.3%).
But the European market performance in May was the second lowest since Acea began compiling the series of figures in 2003.
With mainland Europe in the doldrums, the UK has been the strongest market in Europe over the past year as carmakers targeted the market with strong finance deals aided by historically low interest rates.
The performance in Spain has been boosted by a scrappage scheme which has been extended a number of times.