Top 10: Europe's best selling cars

Official figures just released have revealed the best selling cars in Europe during 2006. Does your car make the list? We give the number of cars across Europe sold, together with a percentage figure against 2005 sales. We start at number 10 and work down towards Europe's best selling motor.

10. BMW 3-Series: 289,053 +19.6%

Click photos to enlarge them

Proving yet again that premium can be mainstream, the 3 Series sold more than the Mondeo, Megane, Vectra and sister-car MINI.

• Driven: all new BMW 3-Series cabriolet

9. Volkswagen Polo: 294,762 +7.1%

VW Polo Dune

The ageing Polo still records good figures, largely due to a loyal home market in Germany.

• Driven: VW Polo Dune

8. Peugeot 307: 306,558 -18.5%

It's still in the top ten, but the 307 is getting on a bit now and sales are dropping off sharply.

• Driven: Peugeot 307

7. Volkswagen Passat: 331,414 +28.3%

Notable growth for VW's acclaimed and good-looking mid-range model.

• Driven: VW Passat 2.0TDI Sport

6. Ford Fiesta: 353,296 +8.4%

Popularity with rental companies and a mid-life facelift helps keep the Fiesta in the top ten with an unexpected rise in sales.

• Driven: facelifted Ford Fiesta

5. Fiat Punto: 401,022 +50.9%

The new Grande Punto was welcomed by the market. Unsurprisingly, sales in Italy were particularly strong.

• Driven: Fiat Grande Punto 1.2

4. Volkswagen Golf: 417,894 -12.4%

A significant slide for the Golf, which was the top selling car in 2005.

• Driven: VW Golf

3. Ford Focus: 418,490 +2.2%

Britain's perennial best seller claims the number three slot across the rest of the continent.

• Driven: Ford Focus ST

2. Renault Clio: 431,595 +28.0%

The new Clio resulted in a huge boom in sales. It only missed out on top spot by some 6,000 sales.

• Driven: Renault Clio

1. Vauxhall/Opel Astra: 437,673 -6.2%

Vauxhall Astra Sport Hatch

And Europe's best selling car is… the Vauxhall Astra, branded Opel in the rest of the EU. Sales of the Astra dipped during its second year on sale, but it still recorded big enough numbers to keep it in pole position.