European car sales rise 9.6 per cent on surging German market
Sales of new cars in Europe rose 9.6 percent in April from a year ago as car showrooms gained from fewer holidays and a German market recovering from lower sales last year, the European carmakers association ACEA said Friday.
By Agencies |
BRUSSELS: Sales of new cars in Europe rose 9.6 percent in April from a year ago as car showrooms gained from fewer holidays and a German market recovering from lower sales last year, the European carmakers association ACEA said Friday.
But total April sales, at 1.42 million, were below the previous month when sales dropped nearly 10 percent to 1.65 million on a slowing economy and an early Easter that closed businesses for several days in most countries.
Germany, Europe's biggest car market, saw sales climb a fifth from a year ago when a sales tax hike curbed shopping sprees. Other western European states also saw sales grow _ with France up a strong 15 per cent.
``Most European countries benefited from two to three additional working days which helped the majority of markets post a growth in new car registrations despite the US financial crisis and further increases in fuel prices,'' ACEA said.
German carmakers reaped the rewards of a recovery in their home market with Europe's largest vehicle manufacturer, Volkswagen AG, seeing a healthy 11.4 per cent gain.
Luxury brand BMW AG reported a 24.7 per cent surge and Daimler a 17.6 per cent increase as sales of its small city Smart car bounced back.
France's Peugeot Citroen hiked sales by 6.8 per cent, Ford Motor Co. climbed 7.8 per cent, General Motors Corp was up 6.3 per cent while Renault SA went up 4.8 per cent.
Fiat managed an 8.5 per cent increase despite a shrinking market in its Italian base. Italian customers form the second largest car market in Europe but they bought 2.9 per cent fewer cars in April from a year ago.
Citroen hiked sales 7.1 per cent and Renault SA climbed 13.7 per cent, while US-based Ford Motor Co went up a more modest 1.2 per cent with General Motors Corp rising 1.2 per cent.
But total April sales, at 1.42 million, were below the previous month when sales dropped nearly 10 percent to 1.65 million on a slowing economy and an early Easter that closed businesses for several days in most countries.
Germany, Europe's biggest car market, saw sales climb a fifth from a year ago when a sales tax hike curbed shopping sprees. Other western European states also saw sales grow _ with France up a strong 15 per cent.
``Most European countries benefited from two to three additional working days which helped the majority of markets post a growth in new car registrations despite the US financial crisis and further increases in fuel prices,'' ACEA said.
German carmakers reaped the rewards of a recovery in their home market with Europe's largest vehicle manufacturer, Volkswagen AG, seeing a healthy 11.4 per cent gain.
Luxury brand BMW AG reported a 24.7 per cent surge and Daimler a 17.6 per cent increase as sales of its small city Smart car bounced back.
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France's Peugeot Citroen hiked sales by 6.8 per cent, Ford Motor Co. climbed 7.8 per cent, General Motors Corp was up 6.3 per cent while Renault SA went up 4.8 per cent.
Fiat managed an 8.5 per cent increase despite a shrinking market in its Italian base. Italian customers form the second largest car market in Europe but they bought 2.9 per cent fewer cars in April from a year ago.
Citroen hiked sales 7.1 per cent and Renault SA climbed 13.7 per cent, while US-based Ford Motor Co went up a more modest 1.2 per cent with General Motors Corp rising 1.2 per cent.
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