Car Sales Grow 9% in Germany

Retail passenger-vehicle sales in Germany climbed to 323,000 units last month from 296,300 in March 2014, according to KBA, the country's motor transport authority.

The 9% growth was the largest monthly increase in more than a year. Analysts say the advance, along with March gains of 9% in France, 19% in Italy and 41% in Spain, bolsters hope that consumer optimism is improving in the EU.