Car Sales in Europe Rise 6%

September deliveries of new passenger vehicles climbed to 1.27 million across Europe compared with 1.20 million in the same month last year, according to industry group ACEA. It was the 13th consecutive month of year-on-year expansion.

All five of the region's largest markets reported gains last month: U.K. (+6% to 425,900 units), Germany (+5% to 260,100), France (+6% to 151,100), Italy (+3% to 110,400) and Spain (+26% to 57,000)

Sales through the first nine months of 2014 totaled 9.91 million units, up 6% from the same period last year.

Results by carmaker were mixed. Almost all mainstream producers, led by Volkswagen Group (+6% to 299,600 units), posted strong monthly gains. Sales were up at PSA (+10% to 129,800), Renault (+10% to 104,800), Ford (+7% to 102,900) and Fiat (+6% to 68,800).

The lone exception was General Motors, whose group sales dropped 6% to 93,900 vehicles in September. A 6% increase to 93,100 units by GM's Opel brand was not enough to offset the virtual disappearance of the company's Chevrolet marque from the region.

Among Europe's Big-Three luxury car makers, BMW brand sales slipped 2% to 69,200 units last month. Demand for cars from Daimler's Mercedes-Benz unit jumped 9% to 68,600 vehicles. Audi sales advanced 3% to 68,500.