Car Sales Up in Italy, Spain But Fall in France

New-car sales rose 9% to 121,700 units in Italy last month, according to the country's transport ministry. But industry group UNRAE notes that results compare with an unusually weak period in October 2013.

October sales in Spain jumped 26% to 76,100 vehicles, aided by a program that pays consumers €2,000 to scrap an old car and buy a new one. The incentive, which is paid equally by the government and the vehicle manufacturer, was continued in June for the sixth time.

In France, new-car registrations declined 4% to 160,200 units, according to industry trade group CCFA. Volume through the first nine months of the year grew only 1%