UK joins Germany in posting June new-car sales gains
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LONDON -- The UK joined Germany in posting a rise in new-car registrations in June despite sales falling in other major European markets as the region's debt crisis hits consumer confidence.
UK new-car registrations were up 3.5 percent to 189,514 last month compared with June 2011, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
June registrations in Germany rose 3 percent to 296,800, the only other of the big five European markets to post an increase, as sales in France, Italy and Spain fell.
UK growth was driven by a 9.8 percent rise in private sales, according to the SMMT.
Registrations for the first six months were up 2.7 percent to 1.06 million. The SMMT predicted 2012 sales will be 1.95 million, an increase of 100,000 on its first-quarter estimate.
"The industry has performed better than expected in the first half of the year and we will now need to work hard to sustain growth," said Paul Everitt, SMMT CEO.
French light-vehicle sales fell 0.9 percent to 248,697 in June. In Spain, registrations dropped 12.1 percent to 73,258 while Italian sales were down 24.4 percent to 128,388, their lowest monthly level since 1979.
Reuters contributed to this report
You can reach Nick Gibbs at nick.gibbs@btinternet.com.
