German registrations plunged 31 percent last month as sales dried up following the introduction of the Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure, or WLTP, on September 1. Most mass-market brands dropped last month. Audi decreased the most, falling 78 percent, followed closely by fellow VW Group brand Porsche, with a 76 percent drop. The group’s core VW brand was next with a 62 percent fall. Seat volume was down 55 percent and Skoda 44 percent. Source Automotive News Europe
(old article we missed) Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez was booed on Friday during his first October 12 military parade since he took office in June. When the convoy of official cars in which the politician was traveling made its way down the Castellana boulevard in central Madrid, thousands of people began to jeer and whistle at him. Source El Pais
Yesterday, the Hungarian central bank announced it recently boosted its gold reserves 10-fold. According to its website, the National Bank of Hungary (MNB) now owns 31.5 tons of gold, up from 3.1 tons. It was the first significant purchase of gold by Hungary since 1986. Shiff Gold
The US has said it intends to negotiate three separate trade agreements with Japan, the UK and the EU. It could take several months before the negotiations begin, it said. The move is part of US President Donald Trump’s efforts to reshape trade policies to support his “America First” agenda. Source: BBC
