August Car Sales Gain in Italy, Germany

Sales of passenger vehicles in Germany climbed to 226,300 units in April from 213,100 units in the same month last year, according to trade group VDIK.

New-car sales in Italy jumped 11% to 59,200 units last month, the country's transport ministry reports. The increases, coupled with gains announced earlier this week in France and Spain, suggest Europe's auto market continued to show growth in August.

Car sales in August 2014 rose 2% to 701,100 units, according to ACEA. The regional trade group will report this year's overall European sales data next week.