Car Sales Surge in Germany, Italy

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in Germany climbed to 313,600 units in June from 277,500 units a year earlier, according to the country's VDA trade group. Results were helped in part by one additional selling day this year.

Deliveries through the first six months of 2015 rose 5% to 1.62 million units. VDA predicts full-year volume in Germany will grow at least 2% to 3.1 million vehicles.

In Italy, June sales jumped 14% to 146,700 units, according to the country's transport ministry. Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV accounted for about 28.4% of the monthly total.