New-Car Deliveries Up 6% in Europe

Registrations of new passenger vehicles across Europe climbed 6% to 1.7 million units in March, industry group ACEA reports.

Sales in Germany were flat at 322,900 units, and deliveries slipped 1% to 111,500 units in Spain last month. But volume grew in the U.K. (+5% to 518,700 units), France, (+8% to 211,300) and Italy (+17% to 190,400).

Volkswagen Group posted a 2% gain to 389,800 vehicles in March, as big gains by Audi (+8% to 94,900 units) and Skoda (+7% to 67,600) helped soften a 2% drop to 180,800 units for the VW brand. The VW brand’s first-quarter share of the European market fell to a five-year low of 11.1% from 12.0% in the same period last year.

Europe’s other main-market carmakers reported stronger sales for the month. Volume advanced for PSA (+1% to 169,900 vehicles), Renault (+9% to 159,400), Ford (+1% to 136,300), Opel (+6% to 126,300) and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (+13% to 110,600).

In the luxury segment, BMW Group and Daimler reported sales gains of 15% to 120,300 units and 11% to 102,500 units, respectively. Demand for BMW brand vehicles rose 15% to 120,300 units. Mercedes-Benz sales climbed 10% to 90,700.

March deliveries of Asian brand vehicles rose 4% to 357,600 units, according to ACEA.