Mixed sales picture as European scrappage schemes end

(AFP/ERIC PIERMONT)

Spain and the UK experienced European car sales gains in June, but the figures from other countries were mixed.

Spain posted a 25.6 percent year-on-year rise in June sales, a positive result but considerable fall nonetheless from May's 44.6 percent gain.

British car sales were up 10.8 percent in June, according to figures released July 6, despite the end of the British scrappage scheme.

News from France, Italy and Germany, however, was less positive.

Germany posted its eighth consecutive monthly fall, this time of 32 percent, a slight improvement on May's figures.

Italian sales fell 19.12 percent according to official figures, whilst French sales fell by a marginal 1.3 percent.

In France, domestic brands including Renault and Citroen took a particularly heavy hit in sales, which was all but cancelled out by a strong performance from foreign brands.