European car sales dropped by 0.7 percent to 15.2 million in 2005 with most European automakers reporting falling sales, the European Automobile Manufacturers Assn. said Monday.

Italy’s Fiat SpA and French carmakers Renault SA and PSA Peugeot Citroen SA fared the worst. Fiat reported a 12 percent drop in sales compared to 2004, while Renault was down 5.2 percent and the PSA group by 2.9 percent. General Motors Corp. – which makes Opel and Saab cars – lost 0.7 percent.

Germany’s BMW Group and Volkswagen AG bucked the trend. BMW posted a 9.8 percent increase while Volkswagen – which sold the most cars at 2.94 million – also reported stronger sales at 3.9 percent.