Car Sales in Europe Rise 10% in July, 12% in August

Registrations of new passenger vehicles across Europe continued to grow through July and August, hiking sales for the first eight months of 2015 by 9% to 9.38 million units, according to industry association ACEA.

July sales grew to 1.18 million from 1.08 million a year earlier. Deliveries rose in all five of Europe's largest national markets: Germany (+7% to 290,200), the U.K. (+3% to 178,400) , France (+2% to 147,100), Italy (+15% to 132,100) and Spain (+24% to 102,900).

All carmakers tracked by ACEA reported increased year-on-year sales in July, led by Volkswagen Group (+8% to 315,600 vehicles), PSA Peugeot Citroen (+10% to 125,900), Renault (+1% to 102,600), Ford (+7% to 82,600) and Opel Group (+2% to 75,300). Mercedes-Benz (+16% to 63,200) handily outsold rival BMW (+8% to 57,900).

Market growth accelerated in August, when sales climbed to 781,600 units from 701,300 a year earlier. Registrations advanced for Germany (+6% to 226,300 units), France (+10% to 92,000), the U.K. (+10% to 79,100), Italy (+11% to 59,200) and Spain (+23% to 55,900).

Among manufacturers, August sales climbed for VW Group (+6% to 208,600 units), PSA (+9% to 74,500), Renault (+10% to 69,700), Opel (+14% to 52,600) and Ford (+8% to 52,400). BMW brand deliveries (+21% to 56,600) overtook rival Mercedes-Benz (+25% to 44,500).