Sales Growth Slows to 1% in Europe

Passenger vehicle deliveries in Europe expanded to 1.15 million in May from 1.14 million in the same period last year, trade group ACEA reports. It was the smallest monthly gain in 21 months of consecutive year-on-year increases.

Sales increases in the U.K. (+2% to 198,700 units), Italy (+11% to 146,600) and Spain (+14% to 94,000) offset declines in Germany (-7% to 256,400) and France (-4% to 143,800).

Group sales in May slipped at Volkswagen (-2% to 295,700 vehicles), PSA (-5% to 117,100), Ford (-1% to 81,500) and Opel (-5% to 79,200). Volumes improved at Renault (+5% to 108,600) and FCA (+9% to 78,400).

Among luxury brands, deliveries climbed last month for Mercedes-Benz (+5% to 60,900 units) and BMW (+2% to 57,100) but fell for Audi (-6% to 62,800). Jaguar and Land Rover sales advanced 13% to 2,400 and 20% to 11,800, respectively.

Among Japanese brands, Nissan's 14% jump to 44,100 units put the company within 1,000 units of segment leader Toyota, whose sales fell 5% to 45,000 units.