Car Sales Decline in July, August in Europe

Registrations of new passenger cars across Europe fell 8% from a year earlier to 972,900 units in July and 9% to 722,500 units in August, according to carmaker group ACEA.

In the first eight months of this year, car sales in the region dropped 7% to 8.59 million vehicles.

In July, the U.K. was Europe's only major market to post a year-on-year increase: a 9% gain to 143,900 vehicles. Demand slid in France (-7% to 148,900 vehicles), Germany (-5% to 247,900 units), Italy (-21% to 109,500 units) and Spain (-17% to 65,300 units).

All major automakers reported lower volume in July, including Volkswagen (-4% to 249,000 vehicles), PSA (-11% to 116,900 units), Renault (-13% to 83,800 units), General Motors (-15% to 74,600 units), Ford (-14% to 69,800 units) and Fiat (-16% to 63,100 units.)

Among luxury brands, July registrations jumped 10% to 59,200 vehicles at VW's Audi but declined 11% to 43,400 units at BMW and 16% to 44,100 cars at Mercedes-Benz.

In August, sales rose 3% to 48,800 vehicles in Spain and were unchanged from a year earlier at 59,400 units in the U.K. Demand fell in France (-11% to 96,100 vehicles), Germany (-5% to 226,500 units) and Italy (-20% to 56,400 units).

Volkswagen's volume increased 2% to 204,000 vehicles last month. But registrations dropped at PSA (-12% to 81,600 vehicles), Renault (-13% to 61,700 units), GM (-18% to 53,600 units), Ford (-29% to 43,400 units) and Fiat (-18% to 37,700 units).

Audi led luxury brands in August with an 8% advance to 46,900 vehicles, and Mercedes-Benz car sales edged up 1% to 35,800 units. BMW volume slid 11% to 35,900 units.