Car Sales in Germany Gain 3%

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in Germany grew 3% to 268,900 units last month, reversing five months of shrinking year-on-year volume, the country’s motor transport authority reports.

KBA notes that diesel sales rose 3% in February to capture one-third of the market. Deliveries of gasoline-fueled vehicle fell 3% last month. Diesel demand was aided by special offers by carmakers to coax owners of older diesels to trade in their cars on newer and cleaner models.

By brand volume, February sales gains were led by Volkswagen (+5% to 50,000 units), Mercedes-Benz (+11% to 24,400), Audi (+2% to 24,100), Ford (+10% to 21,300) and BMW (+1% to 17,800).