December Car Sales Climb in Major European Markets

Four of Europe’s largest car markets report hefty gains in December and full-year 2016.

New-car registrations grew 4% to 256,500 units in Germany last month, industry trade group VDA reports. Annual volume climbed 5% to 3.55 million vehicles, a seven-year high.

In France, December new-car sales expanded 6% to 194,400 units, according to trade group CCFA. Full-year deliveries rose 5% to 2.02 million vehicles.

In Italy, the transportation ministry says deliveries climbed 13% to 124,400 vehicles. Sales for the year grew 16% to 1.82 million vehicles.

In Spain, industry group ANFAC says sales advanced 9% to 96,900 units last month, powered by gains of 21% to businesses and 38% to rental fleets. Full-year registrations totaled 1.15 million units, up 11% compared with 2015.