Spanish car sales show first rise in 16 months

New car registrations in Spain leapt 18 percent in September on a 12-month basis, the first increase for 16 months as government incentives spurred sales, industry data showed on Thursday.
The Spanish auto sector, along with the property market, has been particularly hard hit by the global economic crisis which has had a severe effect in Spain.
A total of 77,374 cars were registered during the month, up from 65,594 in September 2008, Spanish car manufacturers' association ANFAC said in a statement.
It is the first month since April 2008 that the number of new car registrations in Spain has increased on a annual basis.
The sharp drop in auto sales began easing in Spain after a government subsidy for new car purchases of between 1,500 and 2,000 euros (2,186 and 2,915 dollars) came into effect on May 18.
Registrations were flat in August, after falling by 10.9 percent in July and 15.9 percent in June.