Car Sales Drop in France, Italy, Spain

Registrations of new cars in France fell to 148,600 vehicles last month from 165,700 units in May 2012, according to industry group CCFA. May sales also slid 8% in Italy and 3% in Spain.

In France, volume last month shrank 8% to 55,000 vehicles at PSA Peugeot Citroen and 19% to 38,500 units at Renault SA. CCFA reiterates its forecasts for a full-year decline of 8%.

In Italy, May sales dropped 8% to 136,100 vehicles, the country's Transport Ministry reports. Fiat deliveries in its home market tumbled 12% to 41,200 vehicles. The company says its results there were hurt because a parts problem prevented it from delivering 3,000 cars it had sold.

Spain's car registrations slipped 3% to 70,500 vehicles last month, according to trade group ANFAC. The decline reverses the country's 11% sales gain to 62,300 units in April. A sharp decline in fleet sales more than offset sales gains from the government subsidy program in May, ANFAC says.