European car sales post largest gain in 5 years, surging 15 percent in June

The European carmakers' association says auto sales surged 15 percent in June for the biggest month-on-month increase in more than five years.

The ACEA carmakers' association said Thursday that the region posted its 22nd month of growth with sales of 1.36 million units.

All major markets posted double-digit gains. ACEA said registrations were up 23 percent in Spain, 15 percent in France, 14 percent in Italy and 13 percent each in Germany and Britain.

For the first six months of the year, care sales rose 8 percent to 7.1 million.

The major mass-market carmakers showed double-digit sales gains, save France's Renault with just a 4.5 percent increase. There were no major shifts in market share.