Car Sales Surge 11% in Europe

March deliveries of new passenger vehicle jumped to 1.65 million in Europe last month compared with 1.49 million in March 2014, according to industry group ACEA.

Sales in the first quarter of 2015 grew 9% to 3.64 million. All major carmakers posted gains except for General Motors Co.'s Opel Group, where the exit of GM's Chevrolet brand resulted in a 4% drop in volume in January-March.

March sales advanced strongly in all five of Europe's largest markets. Volume rose in the U.K. (+6% to 492,800), Germany (+9% to 323,000), France (9% to 196,600), Italy (+15% to 161,300) and Spain (+41% to 112,300).

March sales across Europe advanced for Volkswagen Group (+10% to 381,100), PSA (+11% to 167,300), Renault Group (+11% to 146,200), Ford (+9% to 136,100) and FCA (+16% to 97,800).

Sales at Opel Group slipped 1% to 119,100 units, as a 4% gain to 118,700 units for Opel/Vauxhall nearly offset the effect of GM's discontinued Chevrolet brand.

Among luxury brands, volume grew for Audi (+7% to 87,800), Mercedes-Benz (+17% to 82,600), BMW (5% to 82,200) and Land Rover (+30% to 23,100). Jaguar sales fell 13% to 5,100.

Asian carmakers posted strong gains in March. Results were led by Toyota Group (+13% to 71,900), Nissan (+21% to 80,800), Hyundai (+18% to 55,700) and Kia (+10% to 44,400). Mazda, Suzuki, Honda and Mitsubishi also reported monthly increases.