Car Sales Advance 4% in Europe

Passenger car registrations across Europe climbed to 1.23 million last month from 1.18 million in June 2013, industry group ACEA reports.

It was the 10th consecutive month of year-on-year gain. But ACEA notes that last month's volume was the second lowest for June since the group began tracking sales 11 years ago.

Sales through the first half of 2014 rose 6% to 6.85 million, led by increases of 18% in Spain and 10% in the U.K.

June sales grew in the U.K. (6% to 228,300 units), France (3% to 196,200), Italy (4% to 127,500) and Spain (24% to 90,200). Demand in Germany slipped 2% to 277,600 vehicles.

Renault Group posted the largest increase last month as sales surged 23% to 143,800 units. The company's volume in January-June rose 19% to 663,100 units, according to ACEA.

June sales by market leader Volkswagen Group expanded 3% to 295,300 vehicles. Fiat Group sales advanced 7% to 74,100. PSA Peugeot Citroen's volume was unchanged at 134,300.

Demand for General Motors vehicles fell 3% to 95,800 units last month. Ford's volume shrank 1% to 89,600.

BMW Group sales in June rose 5% to 79,600 units, pulled by an 8% jump in demand for BMW brand vehicles to 64,300 units. Audi's volume increased 1% to 64,400. Daimler's group results slipped 1% to 64,400, as a 1% gain for Mercedes-Benz to 59,500 was offset by a 19% drop to 4,800 for Smart minicars.