FRANKFURT, GERMANY – Germany is not showing signs of recovery, as its manufacturing sales fell a record 23.3% in February, according to the Federal Statistical Office.

Consumer spending continued to be sluggish, and the automotive industry saw sales plunge 40% compared to last year, the Wiesbaden–based agency reported.

For the month, domestic sales slid 19.5%, while foreign sales dropped 27.5%. Despite being Europe’s largest exporter, the country has been in a recession since the third quarter of 2008, affected by the downturn in global demand for its products.

The agency reported sales to the 16 countries in the euro zone fell 25.9% for the month, and sales to other countries was worse, dropping 28.9%. 

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