October Car Sales Slump 5% in Europe

Registrations of new passenger vehicles across Europe fell to 998,900 units last month from 1.05 million units in October 2011, according to automaker group ACEA.

October sales climbed 12% from a year earlier to 151,300 vehicles in the U.K. and edged up less than 1% to 259,500 units in Germany. Demand dropped in France (-8% to 162,300 vehicles), Italy (-12% to 116,900 units) and Spain (-22% to 44,900 units).

An 11% jump in Audi sales (to 59,100 vehicles) boosted the Volkswagen group to a 2% gain (to 255,100 units) last month. VW was the only major carmaker to post an increase last month.

October demand declined year on year at PSA (-5% to 121,100 vehicles), Renault (-21% to 86,700 units), General Motors (-14% to 70,300 units), Ford (-8% to 74,900 units) and Fiat (-6% to 64,700 units).

BMW group sales dipped 1% to 63,900 vehicles. Daimler's passenger vehicle volume advanced 3% to 53,200 units.

In the January-October period, car sales dropped 7% to 10.72 million vehicles, ACEA reports.