October Sales Up in France, Germany, Spain

Auto industry trade groups and government agencies say car sales last month increased 2% in Germany, nearly 3% in France and more than 34% in Spain. Volume fell nearly 6% in Italy.

New-car registrations in Germany climbed to 265,400 units from 259,500 in October 2012, according to VDIK. Sales rose for Volkswagen brand cars (2% to 61,800 units), Mercedes-Benz (+1% to 24,400 units) and BMW (+3% to 19,700). Demand for Audi vehicles in Germany dropped 8% to 22,500 vehicles.

In France, sales reached 166,500 from 162,300 a year earlier, CCFA reports. PSA Peugeot Citroen advanced 4% to 52,300 units, and Renault improved 6% to 38,100 units.

In Spain, government incentives hiked volume to 60,300 in October from 45,200 in the same month last year, ANFAC reports. The group notes that registrations for company cars increased nearly 8%, their first improvement in 20 months. ANFAC predicts Spain's full-year car sales will reach 715,000 units.

Demand in Italy dropped to 110,800 units from 117,400, the worst year-on-year decline since August, according to the country's transport ministry.