F Ford Motor Company

   By Max Bernhard 
 

New car sales in the European Union rose in February, as demand grew in all major EU markets except Italy and the U.K., according to data published Thursday.

New car registrations, a reflection of sales, rose 4.3% to 1.13 million vehicles across the bloc in February, said the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, or ACEA.

Major EU markets saw demand grow in the month, but the association said momentum is starting to slow in some markets, especially the U.K., which saw a 2.5% decline. Sales in Italy fell 1.4% in the month. Spain and Germany recorded the strongest gains, with sales in the two countries up 12% and 7.4%, respectively.

Sales rose 4.3% in France, the association said.

Peugeot SA (UG.FR) sales jumped 68%, including volumes from German car maker Opel, which the French car maker acquired last year. Sales of Peugeot's namesake brand rose 16% in February, ACEA said. Renault SA (RNO.FR) sales rose 6.8%. Fiat Chrysler NV (FCA.MI) saw a 4.3% decline in sales, while its peer Ford Motors (F) saw a 9% increase.

Among the German car makers, BMW AG (BMW.XE) saw a 0.9% decline in sales, while Volkswagen AG (VOW.XE) and Daimler AG (DAI.XE) saw demand rise 9.4% and 3.6%, respectively.

Write to Max Bernhard at Max.Bernhard@dowjones.com; @mxbernhard

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 15, 2018 03:18 ET (07:18 GMT)

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