Spain new car sales rise 17% in May

New car sales in Spain rose 17 percent in May from a year ago, the ninth straight month of increases.

A total of 82,483 cars were sold in May, car manufacturers’ association Anfac said today. Sales in the first five months were up 16 percent.

A government subsidy scheme, which gives buyers of new vehicles a rebate for turning in old cars, has helped buying.

France New Car Sales up slightly

French new car sales inched 0.1 percent higher in May, led by domestic automaker Renault.

Total registrations advanced to 148,573 cars last month from 148,490 in May 2013, the Paris-based CCFA industry association said in a statement today.

The CCFA said it could raise its 1 percent growth forecast for the French market for 2014 next month. Five-month sales are up 3 percent to 740,121.

Renault group car sales rose 9 percent in May, including an 11 percent gain for its no-frills Dacia unit. Renault brand sales increased by 8.5 percent.

Domestic rival PSA/Peugeot-Citroen posted a 4 percent gain, while German group Volkswagen saw registrations advance 1 percent.