Car Sales in France Rise 1% For First Gain in 21 Months

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in France grew to 150,200 units in July from 148,900 units a year earlier. July marks the first increase in nearly two years, according to carmaker group CCFA.

The association credits the modest gain to dealer discounts, the popularity of new models and one more selling day than in July 2012. CCFA declares, "The decline is ending."

Car deliveries fell 11% to 1.08 million units in the first six months of 2013. The trade group still predicts that the country's full-year drop will average 8% to 1.75 million units, which would be the lowest annual sales since 1997.

July registrations of light commercial vehicles in France rose 3% to 31,300 units in July.

Light-vehicle deliveries advanced at PSA (+2% to 57,600 vehicles) and Renault Group (+3% to 43,800 units) last month but shrank 7% to 22,500 units for the Volkswagen Group. Overall, sales by foreign brands dipped less than 1% to 80,000 units.