Auto Sales Dip in France, Tumble in Italy

Sales of passenger and light commercial vehicles in France which plunged 30% year over year in the first three months of 2012 slipped just 1% to 200,800 units in April, according to the country's CCFA carmaker group.

CCFA says it is maintaining its full-year sales forecast of an 8%-10% year-over-year decline for the French market.

PSA Peugeot Citroen boosted April volume 9% to 65,300 vehicles, thanks to strong deliveries of the new Peugeot 208 subcompact, according to the trade group. It says Renault sales slid 6% to 49,300 units as the company awaits a replacement later this year for its aging Clio supermini.

In Italy, April sales dropped 18% to 129,700 vehicles, according to national dealer group Federauto. Fiat's market share jumped to 31.4% last month from 26% in March, when a trucking strike disrupted vehicle shipments.

Research firm Studio Promotor predicts full-year volume in Italy of less than 1.5 million vehicles, the lowest level since 1983.