Europe's Car Sales Fall 6%

Registrations of new passenger vehicles across Europe last month slumped to 1.18 million units a 17-year-low for June from 1.25 million a year earlier, according to industry group ACEA.

The U.K. was the only bright spot among Europe's major market: Its sales surged 13% to 215,000 units last month. But volume fell 5% in Germany, 8% in France, 6% in Italy and 1% in Spain.

Passenger-vehicle deliveries in the first six months of 2013 slid to 6.4 million units from 6.9 million for the same period last year. The U.K., with 10% growth for the six-month period, was the only major market to advance.

Ford posted a 7% gain to 90,600 vehicles in June, and Renault sales climbed 1% to 116,100 units. But demand dropped for Volkswagen Group (-4% to 286,900 vehicles), PSA Peugeot Citroen (-11% to 134,700), General Motors (-10% to 98,600) and Fiat Group (-14% to 79,900).

Results last month were mixed for Europe's luxury brands. Sales dropped 9% at Audi and 8% at BMW. Registrations rose 2% at Mercedes-Benz and 1% at Jaguar Land Rover.