French, Spanish auto sales gain in January 01/02/2007 00:00

PARIS, Feb 1, 2007 (AFP) - Auto sales increased in Spain and France in January, when the number of new car registrations on the Spanish market hitting a monthly record, automakers' groups in both countries said Thursday.

Registrations in Spain rose 2.7 percent in January from the same month last year 116,503 units, a record for January, according to the national automobile manufacturers' association.

The French group Renault was the market leader, with sales of 11,877 vehicles, followed by its French rival Citroen and Spanish automaker Seat.

In France sales of new cars were up 1.8 percent from January 2006 at 171,669 units, the French auto manufacturers' committee said.

PSA Peugeot Citroen saw its sales fall 3.3 percent to 50,026 units and its market share slip to 29.1 percent from 30.7 percent in January 2006.

At Renault sales dropped 7.0 percent to 40,113 units, taking its market share to 23.4 percent from 25.6 percent.

Foreign automakers recorded a 9.1 percent gain in sales last month, giving them a market share in France of 48.5 percent.

Among the leading foreign firms, sales rose 37.2 percent at Toyota of Japan, 34.3 percent at BMW of Germany and 14.4 percent at German automaker Volkswagen.

Both US auto giants suffered a decline in sales last month in France, 2.4 percent at Ford and 0.2 percent at GM Europe.

Copyright AFP

Subject: French news, car sales