Car Sales Slide 5% in Germany

Sales of new cars fell to 290,000 units in Germany last month compared with 303,900 in May 2011, according to federal transport authority KBA.

By brand, volume dropped 7% to 63,000 vehicles at Volkswagen, 5% to 27,800 units at BMW/Mini, 11% to 23,000 units at Opel and 8% to 19,800 units at Ford. Audi sales rose 6% to 25,400 vehicles. Mercedes-Benz sales were flat at 26,700 units.

In the first five months of 2012, German sales were unchanged at 1.3 million vehicles.