Car Sales Continue to Slump in Italy, France, Spain

Registrations of new vehicles in France fell to 125,000 units last month from 147,000 units in January 2012, according to industry association CCFA.

Last month marked the lowest January volume in France since 1997, the group says. Group sales declined at PSA Peugeot Citroen (-17% to 39,900 vehicles), Renault (-7% to 30,400 units) and Volkswagen (-24% to 16,800 units).

Auto registrations in Italy dropped 18% year on year to 113,500 vehicles in January, the country's Infrastructure and Transport Ministry reports.

In Spain, January sales slid 10% to 49,700 vehicles despite a government-industry subsidy of €2,000 per vehicle, according to automaker group ANFAC.