Car Sales in Europe Climbed 10% in August

Registrations of new passenger vehicles across Europe grew to 855,500 units in August from 781,600 units in the same month last year, trade group ACEA reports.

The increase reversed a 2% decline to 1.16 million sales in July, a dip that ended 34 consecutive months of year-on-year growth. July results were pulled down by shrinking volume in Germany (-4% to 278,900 units) and France (-10% to 133,000).

In August, sales climbed in all five of Europe’s largest markets. Deliveries rose in Germany (+8% to 245,100 units), France (+7% to 98,200), the U.K. (+3% to 81,600), Italy (+20% to 71,600) and Spain (+15% to 64,100).

Market leader Volkswagen Group saw sales drop 9% to 288,100 units in July. But demand rose 6% to 222,700 vehicles in August. The group’s European sales through the first eight months of 2016 advanced 3% to 2.43 million units. Volume for the VW brand rose 5% to 106,800 vehicles last month after dropping 11% to 130,900 cars in July.

All major manufacturers posted gains last month, according to ACEA. In addition to VW Group, deliveries were up for Renault Group (+15% to 79,900), PSA Group (+3% to 76,500 units), Opel (+5% to 55,400), Ford (+7% to 55,300) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+20% to 47,900).

Demand in August for Asian brands grew 10% to 169,300 vehicles. Results were led by Toyota (+18% to 40,100 units), Hyundai (+10% to 30,800) and Kia (+16% to 26,800).

In the luxury segment, Mercedes-Benz outsold rival BMW brand 53,100 units to 46,800 last month. Results were similar in July, when Mercedes deliveries rose 4% to 65,800 vehicles compared with a 1% gain to 58,600 for BMW. VW’s Audi brand saw sales fall 5% to 66,600 units in July but climb 7% to 47,300 in August.