German sales rise 9% in May as diesel market rebounds

FRANKFURT -- New-car sales in Germany rose 9.1 percent in May, boosted by a resurgence in demand for diesel vehicles.

Overall registrations were 332,962 for the month, according to data released Tuesday by the KBA Motor Transport Authority.

Sales of diesel cars increased 16 percent to give the powertrain a 33.3 percent market share. Gasoline car sales rose 0.7 percent for a 59 percent share.  Sales of alternatively powered vehicles, including full-electric, plug-in-hybrid and hybrid cars increased 100 percent to give them a 1.4 percent market share.

Sales to business fleets rose 12 percent for a 62.9 percent market share in May, while sales to private customers rose 4.5 percent for a 37.1 percent share, according to KBA data.

Major brands had mixed results last month. Tesla, Volvo and BMW were the big winners, while Alfa Romeo, Mini and Honda were the biggest losers.

* Download file here for German sales in May

Alfa Romeo's registrations plunged 54 percent, Honda's volume fell 33 percent and Mini sales were down 17 percent.

VW brand dropped 4.6 percent, while Audi was down 4.3 percent. Seat sales jumped 35 percent.

Among the winners, Tesla rose 117 percent, Volvo gained 77 percent and BMW registrations were up 42 percent.

Smart rose 36 percent, Ford 18 percent and Opel by 15 percent.

Mercedes-Benz registrations increased 9.5 percent, while Porsche was up 3.9 percent.

Through May, sales in Germany are up 1.7 percent to 1.52 million.