German April new car registrations increase by 4%
German Automotive Association (VDA) said new car registrations in Germany reached 298'000 units in April with an increase of 4% compared to the same period of last year. Registrations in March rose by 8% from the same month a year earlier to 345'000 units, after a 2% decrease in February and 12.4% decrease in January. In the first four months of 2004, new car registrations fell by 1% to 1.06 million units. Automobile output soared by 5% to 452'400 units in April while exports were up by 2% to 310'200 units. Exports maintain its high level with the strong demand from the ten new EU member states.