June Sales Up in Germany, France, Spain; Down in Italy

New-car registrations in three of Europe’s largest markets rose in June, according to local agencies and trade groups.

In Germany, sales climbed 4% to 341,300 units last month, the KBA motor authority reports. Results by brand were led by big gains for Volkswagen (+10% to 66,400 units), Audi (+10% to 27,800), BMW (+12% to 25,300) and Ford (+7% to 24,500).

In France, June sales advanced 9% to 252,200, according to industry group CCFA. Volume in the first half of the year grew 5% to 1.19 million units. The largest contributors to last month’s gains were PSA (+19% to 77,800 units), Renault Group (+16% to 76,200), Volkswagen Group (+15% to 29,200) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+31% to 13,000).

In Spain, deliveries of new passenger vehicles climbed 8% to 142,400 units last month, says trade group ANFAC. The biggest contributors to growth were Volkswagen (+35% to 13,400 units), SEAT (+14% to 11,500) and Peugeot (+11% to 10,600). Overall sales in January-June rose 10% to 734,600 vehicles.

June sales in Italy fell 7% to 174,700 units in June, the country’s transport ministry reports. The shrinkage follows a 3% year-on-year drop in May. Sales of Fiat brand cars plummeted 31% in June, after falling 23% in May and 15% in April. Diesel sales plunged 17%, cutting their market share at the same time last year by six points to 53%. The ministry says sales in the first half of 2018 fell 2% to 1.12 million.