Berlin  - European car sales slumped a 7.8 per cent in May, data released Friday showed, as surging oil prices and renewed economic uncertainty hit consumer sentiment.

New registrations dropped to 1.33 million from 1.45 million a year earlier, the Brussels-based European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) said with demand falling across both Western Europe and the once booming car markets of Central Europe.

Over the first five-month of the year, the ACEA said deliveries slipped 0.7 per cent to 6.92 million. (dpa)