Car Sales in Europe Surge 15%

Deliveries of passenger vehicles across Europe jumped to 1.41 million units last month from 1.23 million in June 2014, according to industry trade group ACEA. Sales through the first half of the year climbed 8% to 7.41 million.

ACEA says results mark the biggest year-on-year monthly gain since December 2009 as all five of the region's biggest markets posted double-digit gains.

June sales grew in Germany (+13% to 313,500 units), the U.K. (+13% to 257,800), France (+15% to 225,600), Italy (+14% to 146,700) and Spain (+24% to 111,300).

Volkswagen Group led last month's market with a 17% increase to 346,200 units. Sales advanced for PSA (+13% to 152,300), Renault (+5% to 151,100), Ford (+16% to 103,500), Opel (+8% to 102,700) and FCA (+18% to 87,400).

Among the market's best-selling luxury brands, deliveries jumped 17% to 75,500 units for Audi, 11% to 71,900 units for BMW and 17% to 69,600 for Mercedes-Benz.

Asian brands gained 14% to 244,300 units in June, according to ACEA.