Car Sales Surge 13% in Europe

New-car registrations across Europe soared to 948,100 units last month from 839,000 in December 2012, according to industry trade group ACEA.

Full-year sales for the region totaled 12.31 million, down less than 2% from the tally in 2012.

December sales improved in all five of the region's largest national markets. Volume rose 5% to 215,320 units in Germany, 9% to 175,300 in France, 24% to 152,900 in the U.K., 1% to 88,700 in Italy and 18% to 60,500 in Spain.

Demand for most mainstream brands climbed dramatically last month. Sales jumped 22% to 240,600 vehicles at Volkswagen, 9% to 99,600 at PSA, 29% to 99,200 at Renault, 13% to 72,800 at General Motors and 20% to 64,400 at Ford.

Fiat group sales rose 2% to 51,900 vehicles in December, marking their first monthly year-on-year improvement since May 2011.

Results were mixed for Europe's luxury brands. Volume rose for Audi (+17% to 46,300 units) and Jaguar Land Rover (+6% to 9,900). But sales slipped at BMW (-6% to 62,500 units) and Mercedes-Benz (-2% to 43,900).