PARIS -- French car sales fell 0.7 percent in September, data published on Friday showed, adding to concerns that a hoped-for recovery in the industry is yet to happen.
New car registrations in September fell to 154,379 vehicles from 155,410 in the same month last year, France's CCFA car making association said.
Sales of new cars have fallen 1.2 percent in the first nine months of 2004, or 3.3 percent on an underlying basis, after a poor performance in 2003.
Business started to recover in May and June, raising hopes of a nascent recovery in the hard-hit market, but dips in sales in July and August dampened expectations.
The CCFA said that now the quiet summer months had passed French sales had stabilized.
"From now to the end of the year the market should draw some support from the latest models that have been launched, and more launches planned for the future," the CCFA said.
Sales at French manufacturer PSA Citroen fell 1 percent, while rival Renault saw a 4.1 percent fall.
Foreign manufacturers continued their strong showing in the French market, where they account for 41.4 percent of total sales so far this year.
