Car Sales Rise in Germany, Italy, Spain

New-car registrations grew last month in Germany, Italy and Spain, largely because of an upswing in fleet sales, according to local government and trade groups.

German vehicle authority KBA reports that July sales in Germany climbed 2% to 283,100 units. An 11% jump in sales of gasoline-fueled vehicles offset a 5.5-point drop in demand for diesels.

Registrations by brand rose for Mercedes-Benz (+18% to 30,000 units), BMW (+7% to 21,400) and Opel (+3% to 19,400), last month. Sales for Audi were flat at 26,500 units). Deliveries fell for the Volkswagen (-13% to 49,500 units) and Ford (-6% to 20,100) brands.

In Italy, new-car sales climbed 6% to 145,400 units, according to the transport ministry, bolstered by a 26% jump in fleet sales. Retail deliveries to individual buyers slipped 2%. Sales by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV increased 4%.

In Spain, trade group ANFAC says sales advanced 3% to 109,900 passenger vehicles last month, also because of growth in fleet sales. New-car deliveries to private buyers declined for the third consecutive month, this time by 4% to 60,300 units.