March Car Sales Stall in Germany

New-car deliveries in Germany were flat at 323,000 units last month, according to industry group VDA. It was the first time in 11 months that volume failed to expand.

VDA blames fewer selling days due to an early Easter, declaring that a year-on-year comparison offers "no real indication of demand.”

Still, the trade group notes that Germany vehicle output shrank 7% to 516,100 vehicles in March, and exports fell 8% to 396,300 units. First-quarter sales advanced 4% to 791,500 passenger vehicles.

Germany’s sales result last month compares to gains of 8% in France and 17% in Italy, according to reports in those countries.