European Car Sales Rise a Ninth Month on Consumer Confidence

European car sales rose 4.3 percent in May, the ninth consecutive monthly gain, as a recovery in consumer confidence encouraged purchases of new models from Renault SA and Volkswagen AG following a six-year market slump.

Registrations increased to 1.13 million vehicles from 1.09 million a year earlier, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, or ACEA, said today. Five-month sales gained 6.6 percent to 5.62 million cars.