
Europe’s troubled car market grew by 5 percent in July, only the second time this year the region has seen monthly growth, Germany’s auto industry association VDA said.

Europe’s troubled car market grew by 5 percent in July, only the second time this year the region has seen monthly growth, Germany’s auto industry association VDA said.

BMW’s Chinese partner reported first-half profit surged 52 percent on demand for new models including its 5-series sedan in the world’s largest auto market.

Europe’s car market may have finally stopped shrinking, but a manufacturers’ price war will not let up until sales increase significantly, Ford of Europe’s sales boss, Roelant de Waard, said.

France’s move to outlaw sales of Mercedes-Benz cars that use an air-conditioner refrigerant banned by the European Union is hitting dealers hard.Photo credit: REUTERS/Christian Hartmann

Car registrations in Germany rose by 2 percent in July as new models helped automakers such as Opel and Mercedes-Benz to achieve sales gains while Volkswagen brand saw demand for its vehicles decline.