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Europe’s Car Sales Recovery Is Held Back by Economic Turmoil

  • Shipments rose 14% in October from depressed year-ago level
  • Energy crisis is likely to stand in way of substantial rebound

New-car registrations climbed 14% last month.

Photographer: Andreas Gebert/Bloomberg
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Auto sales in Europe rose for a third month in October as supply-chain issues eased, though there’s growing concern that deteriorating economic conditions are beginning to put off buyers.

New-car registrations climbed 14% to 910,753 vehicles last month, the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association said Thursday. The industry returned to growth in August after 12 consecutive months of decline.