European cars sales raced ahead in February, increasing by 14.3 percent from February 2015, with sales in Italy jumping by over a quarter, according to data released on Wednesday by an association of auto manufacturers.

Only Greece and the Netherlands saw sales fall, while all other EU states saw double digit sales gains in February on an annual comparison, except Austria, Britain and Slovenia. "In February 2016, the EU passenger car market posted a highly accelerated increase, marking the 30th consecutive month of growth," said the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA).

Over the first two months of the year, new car registrations were up 10.1 percent to 2.1 million vehicles, so far outpacing the 9.3 percent overall gain recorded in 2015. Not all carmakers are benefiting equally from the rising car sales. Volkswagen, which boasts the largest market share by far in Europe, saw only a 4.5 percent sales gain in January and February.