In May this year, the turnover in France's manufacturing industry remained stable compared to the previous month, following a month-on-month increase of 0.8 percent in April, according to France's National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE). Meanwhile, exports of France's manufacturing sector increased strongly by 5.1 percent month on month in May, after the 0.5 percent rise registered in April compared to March.
In May 2012, the turnover of French metal and metal product manufacturing increased by 2.3 percent as compared to the previous month. Meanwhile, a one percent month-on-month increase was recorded in the turnover in manufacture of motor vehicles, trailers and semi-trailers. In May, the turnover in the country's automobile industry remained more or less stable, with a month-on-month increase of 0.2 percent, while the turnover for the construction industry remained unchanged compared to the previous month.