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But the downtrend in registrations of diesel-powered cars continued with a decline of about 17 percent, the source said on Friday on condition he not be named ahead of publication of official data.
"The new year got off to a good start," the source said, noting that the increase resulted mainly from high private orders by at the end of 2017 and was not helped by additional selling days.
Germany's VDA auto industry association is expected to release official sales data for Europe's largest auto market later on Friday.