European sales of diesel powered cars hit a new high in 2003, according to new data.

A new study by the Automotive Industry Data (AID) showed that the sector enjoyed a marked rise on previous years.

Although sales of cars powered by traditional petrol engines dipped in Europe, the diesel sector powered forward, boasting a 44 per cent share of all new cars sold in 2003.

That figure marked a significant rise on the previous year's total of 40.4 per cent and continued the decade-long trend.

Diesel market share has doubled over the past 12 years, with sales now standing at a record 6.2 million.

"According to our research, the day that diesels will account for more than half of Europe's passenger car market could be just around the corner," AID managing director Peter Schmidt told just-auto.