Car Sales in Western Europe Rose 7% in May

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in western Europe grew 7% to 1.31 million units in May, aided by one additional selling day, says LMC Automotive. Results reversed a sharp year-on-year decline in April.

Germany led last month’s uptick with a 13% gain to 324,000 units. Volume also jumped in Italy (+8% to 204,100 units), France (+9% to 191,400) and Spain (+11% to 126,400).

Deliveries in the U.K. in May dropped 9% to 186,300 vehicles, dragged down by the aftermath of a tax increase in April that pulled sales into the first quarter. Demand for diesels plunged 20%. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says uncertainty about this week’s general election also was a factor.

On an annualized basis, May sales in western Europe climbed to 14.5 million units from 13.4 million in April. Germany’s sales rate surged to 3.6 million, its highest pace since October 2009.