Car sales in Germany are not moving any further.

New registrations in September increased sharply by 14 percent to around 225,000 vehicles, as the Federal Motor Transport Authority announced on Thursday.

However, this is not a trend reversal, because last year car sales were particularly low due to a lack of material.

"September looks more optimistic than it is," said auto professor Ferdinand Dudenhöffer.

The figures only reflected the high order backlog of previous months, in which the car manufacturers could hardly meet the demand due to a lack of components.

In the meantime, the factories would be better supplied with components and the orders processed.

"Production is running smoothly again," said Dudenhöffer, who heads the CAR Institute in Duisburg.

However, customers have since held back because of high inflation and fears of recession.

Getting new orders is currently extremely difficult.

Pure electric cars are particularly affected by this, and state subsidies will be capped at the end of the year.

"Everyone who buys an e-car now has to reckon with not getting the old bonus because of the long delivery times," explained Dudenhöffer.

Recovery far away

The management consultancy EY is also assuming weaker demand for the next few months.

A real recovery of the new car market is a long way off, predicted EY car expert Peter Fuss.

Sales are still below pre-crisis levels.

The importers' association VDIK said the balance sheet after three quarters was sobering.

For the first time ever, car sales are below two million units after nine months.

"The market urgently needs positive impetus through stable framework conditions and support for consumers in view of rising energy and living costs," said association leader Reinhard Zirpel.

In September, the statistics of the Flensburg authorities showed an increase in registrations for two thirds of the German brands.

The clearest growth was at the VW subsidiary Audi, with 71.8 percent, followed by Mercedes with plus 46.1 percent and VW with plus 30.2 percent.

Porsche sold 15.3 percent more of its sports cars and SUVs.

In contrast, Asian manufacturers such as Suzuki, Mitsubishi and Honda posted double-digit declines.

Renault and Opel also drove in reverse for new registrations.

Overall, new registrations have fallen by 7.4 percent to 1.87 million vehicles since the beginning of the year.