Japanese car sales reverse trend, South Korea strong (01/11/11)

Sales of new cars rose in Japan in October compared to a year before, when there was a slump after the end of the government scrappage scheme.

Automobile deliveries, excluding 660cc mini-vehicles, were up 28.3 per cent, with Toyota climbing by over a fifth year-on-year and Nissan seeing sales up by a third.

Honda gained nearly 20 per cent from a year ago, though the results do not reflect the full impact of the flooding in Thailand that has caused severe supply chain disruption.

Meanwhile, South Korea's automakers continue to outperform their Japanese rivals.

Hyundai's global sales rose 14 per cent, while deliveries at affiliate Kia were up 11 per cent as good overseas demand offset drops in domestic sales.

South Africa Vehicle Sales Rise 18.9% in October as Low Rates Boost Demand (02/11/11)

Low interest rates helped sales of new cars in South Africa increase by 18.9 per cent last month compared to October 2010, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa).

Deliveries rose from 44,029 a year ago to 52,338 in October 2011, though growth was down on September's soaring 30 per cent rise.

"Industry sales figures over the past few months have exceeded expectations," said Naamsa, citing as a reason the "improvement in the financial position of consumers on the back of relatively low interest rates".

Toyota, Honda Post U.S. Sales Declines for October as Nissan, Hyundai Gain (02/11/11)

US new car sales rose 7.5 per cent in October compared to year before as Detroit's Big Three all posted gains, according to Autodata Corp.

Chrysler led the rise with a 27 per cent increase, while Ford (6.2 per cent) and GM (1.7 per cent) posted more modest gains.

Toyota and Honda both reported a drop in US car sales in October, down 7.9 per cent and 0.5 per cent year-on-year respectively.

Meanwhile, Nissan saw a gain of 18 per cent and Hyundai reported a 23 per cent increase in sales.

October European car sales mirror economic gloom (02/11/11)

Car sales in France and Germany rose slightly as Spain and Italy both reported falling demand in October.

New car sales in Italy fell 5.49 per cent in October year-on-year, with Fiat reporting a 2.9 per cent drop.

Spanish car sales decline by 6.7 per cent from a year earlier, car makers' association ANFAC said.

New car registrations in France rose 2.8 per cent last month, marking a 0.4 per cent gain over the first 10 months of the year, according to the car makers' association CCFA.

German car sales rose one per cent in October, while production slipped two per cent.

Meanwhile, Belgian car sales fell 2.5 per cent in October, industry body FEBIAC said.

October sees rise in new car sales (04/11/11)

New cars in the UK rose 2.6 per cent year-on-year to 134,944 vehicles, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

This was seven per cent ahead of forecasts, though still 20 per cent below the level seen in October 2007.

Sales for the first ten months of the year remain 4.5 per cent below last year.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "The October 2011 rise was a positive result despite the uncertain economic climate.

"We expect market conditions to remain challenging and hope the Chancellor's autumn statement later this month will help to boost economic growth and consumer confidence."

India's Oct car sales in biggest fall in over a decade-industry (09/11/11)

High interest rates and vehicles continue to suppress demand for new cars in India as sales fell 23.8 per cent last month compared to a year before.

Indian automakers sold 138,521 cars in October, according to the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers.

Meanwhile, sales of trucks and buses actually rose 18.5 per cent to 61,800 units.

China Passenger-Vehicle Sales Slow After Deliveries of Minivans Fall 18% (09/11/11)

Car sales growth in China may not reach five per cent, the slowest rate of expansion in 13 years, according to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers.

The prediction came after passenger car sales increased at their slowest pace in five months, rising just 1.4 per cent.

GM bucked the trend with a ten per cent rise in deliveries, while Toyota posted a 32 per cent gain.

UK car production drives ahead (18/11/11)

UK car production rose 14.1 per cent in October from a year before to 128,654 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Car production for the year is up 5.8 per cent, though commercial vehicle (CV) output has slipped 2.7 per cent in the first ten months of 2011.

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