By Neetha Mahadevan
FRANKFURT--German new car registrations rose 4% in October,
according to data released Tuesday, helped by strong orders for
both domestic and foreign brands.
About 275,400 new cars were registered in October in Europe's
largest auto market, up 4% on the year, while 2.6 million units
were registered since the start of the year, an increase of 3%,
according to the German automotive industry association, or
VDA.
Among German brands, Volkswagen, Porsche and Mini reporting
double-digit growth, while Mitsubishi, Jeep and Subaru posted
strong growth among foreign brands, according to Germany's Federal
Motor Transport Authority, or KBA.
"The German markets are profiting from dynamic growth in the
U.S. and China. However, sluggish economies of Brazil and Russia
are putting brakes on growth in the overall car market," VDA
President Matthias Wissmann said of the registrations, which are a
proxy for car sales.
Mr. Wissman added that although Western European markets are
growing at the expected pace, recovery is still muted in some
European countries.
ACEA, the European association of auto makers, will release
October new car registrations for Europe on Nov. 18. Car
manufacturers expect European Union sales to grow 3% this year
after a six-year slump.
Write to Neetha Mahadevan at Neetha.Mahadevan@wsj.com