European car sales climb 11% on economic optimism

European car sales in March rose briskly as Fiat Chrysler and Renault took advantage of a solid economy to lure more buyers.

Benefiting from extra working days due to the Easter holiday in April this year, industry-wide registrations climbed 11% to 1.94 million vehicles last month, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association, said.

Fiat and Renault gained market share at the expense of European leader Volkswagen and No 2 PSA.