VW sale rise hints at recovery

SCANDAL hit German carmaker VW has shown tentative signs of a recovery after its flagship motor reversed sales into positive territory last month.

Sales of the vehicles had weakened in recent months following VW’s fuel emissions cheating controversy but drivers bought more Volkswagen cars in April after shunning them in March

Sales of the flagship brand rose 2.7% last month compared to the same period last year. Sales had declined 1.6% in March due to the fallout after rising in February.

The carmaker admitted rigging cars to cheat on US pollution tests, meaning some vehicles were emitting up to 40 times more pollutants permitted under the law.

VW was still one of the slowest growing car companies across Europe last month, according to today’s figures from the Association of European Carmakers (ACEA)

Overall VW sales, which include Audi, Skoda, Seat and Porsche, rose 5.4% - faster than rivals like Renault and Ford which grew 5.1% and 4% respectively.

Car sales across Europe enjoyed their highest volume growth since April 2008, with new passenger car registrations rising 1.3 million.

“The EU passenger car market posted strong results again, marking the 32nd consecutive month of growth,“ the ACEA said.