European version of ‘Cash for Clunkers’ boosts car sales

BRUSSELS -- The European car industry says sales rose 6.3 percent in September compared to last year, helped by governments' popular cash-for-clunker programs.

The ACEA car industry federation said today that sales were "boosted in markets with government incentives to support fleet renewal."

In Germany, where such a program ran out during September, sales increased by 21 percent with consumers seeking to make the most while the offer still stood. In Spain, sales increased by 18 percent over the year.

-- The Associated Press