THE brakes have gone on new vehicle sales across Europe this summer as the economy looks weaker and there are continuing mounting worries over the effects of sanctions and counter-sanctions with Russia.

Growth in new vehicle sales across Europe rose 6% to 1.08 million units in July, but the year-on-year pace slowed to 2% (701,100 units) in August, reports industry group ACEA.

July new vehicle sales rose in Germany (+7% to 270,200 units), the U.K. (+7% to 172,900), Italy (6% to 114,300) and Spain (+11% to 83,400). Demand dropped 4% to 143,800 vehicles in France.

Companies reporting stronger new vehicle sales for the month included Volkswagen Group (+12% to 267,700 vehicles), Renault (+9% to 91,200) and Fiat Group (+3% to 62,200).

Demand in July was virtually unchanged at 72,200 at Ford. Sales shrank for PSA (-1% to 109,200 cars) and General Motors (-10% to 67,200).

Luxury new vehicle sales sales in July climbed for BMW (+9% to 64,700 units), Audi (+8% to 62,300) and Mercedes-Benz (+5% to 53,100).

August new vehicle sales results were mixed at the national level. New vehicle sales slipped in Germany (-0.4% to 213,100 units), France (-3% to 83,700) and -0.2% to 53,200) in Italy. But volume climbed 9% to 72,200 vehicles in the U.K. and 14% to 45,400 in Spain.

Among mass-market carmakers, August sales grew 9% to 196,900 units at Volkswagen, 2% to 67,900 at PSA Peugeot Citroen and 15% to 48,600 at Ford. Demand advanced 1% to 25,500 units at Hyundai and 2% to 21,800 at Nissan.

August volumes shrank for Renault (-3% to 63,500), General Motors (-15% to 46,200), Fiat (-3% to 35,000) and Toyota (-8% to 29,700).

Luxury car sales fell last month. Demand dropped 1% to 46,800 for BMW,8 % to 40,900 for Audi and 4% to 37,400 for Mercedes-Benz.