Car Sales in France Rise 6%

New-car sales in France climbed to 167,000 units in April from 157,700 a year earlier, according to industry group CCFA.

But the association says the gain was due entirely to corporate purchases. Deliveries to individual buyers fell slightly, leaving the underlying strength of the upturn uncertain.

Renault led France's sales growth in April with an 18% gain driven by demand for the company's low-price Dacia vehicles, according to CCFA. It says sales in the country by domestic rival PSA Peugeot Citroen rose 5%.