German car sales gain 22% in May: VDA

Frankfurt - German new car sales jumped by 22% in May from the same month a year earlier, figures released Friday by the VDA federation showed.

A total of 304 700 vehicles were delivered in the biggest European car market, a statement said, with German brands representing more than 70% of the total, dominating in particular the diesel engine segment.

German new car sales have now posted six consecutive months of gains, VDA added.

Exports are also still faring well, with an annualised gain of 16% in May to 421 000 vehicles.

In the first five months of 2011, German auto exports have gained 11% to a total of 1.953 million units, the data showed.

Overall production was 20% stronger month-on-month in May at 563 000 automobiles, but rose by a more modest 9% in the five-month period to 2.534 million.