New car sales in France were down 12.8% last month, compared with September 2017. On the whole, however, market decline is relatively contained. While August saw 43,000 extra new-vehicle registrations in France (+40% compared with the same month last year), the counter-reaction in September was less strong, with only 22,000 registrations less (-12.8% to 149,000 registrations). Source Fleet Europe
The European People’s Party candidate for the next European Commission president, Manfred Weber, says he will block the construction of a Russian gas pipeline should he win the race to replace Jean Claude-Juncker. Source: EU Observer
Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed an order simplifying the procedure for obtaining a Russian passport for residents of separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine, prompting an angry response from Kiev. Source: Reuters
German business morale deteriorated in April, a survey showed on Wednesday, bucking expectations for a small rise and suggesting Europe’s largest economy is losing steam as trade tensions hamper its exporters. Source: Reuters
