European car sales showed the first signs of a recovery in May as showrooms reopened after a two-month shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the industry association ACEA.
The industry is hoping that consumers will drive an improvement this summer by turning to cars for their holidays instead of flying to far-away destinations.
Another positive signal is coming from China, where car sales rose for the first time in almost a year last month. The region has become a focus for European automakers, who are hoping better business there will make up for muted registrations at home.
Despite the rebound, European sales through May have dropped 43 percent, in a sign that a recovery will take some time.