BERLIN, Oct. 9 (Xinhua) -- German firms' production increased by the fastest pace in six years in August, according to figures published Monday by the Wiesbaden-based Federal Statistical Office.
Industrial, construction and energy sectors' output increased by an average of 2.6 percent compared to the previous months, well ahead of economists' forecast of 0.7 percent growth. In July, production had fallen surprisingly by 0.1 percent.
The German Ministry of Economics said in a statement that the "favorable business climate" and "positive development of orders" would continue to underpin Germany's lasting economic momentum.
Germany's industrial sector witnessed particularly strong productive gains, with output growing by 3.2 percent compared to the previous month.
It was "notable" according to the Ministry of Economics that automotive production (up 10.8 percent) fared particularly well within the industrial category, despite the ongoing "dieselgate," or diesel emissions cheating scandal.
Given a surge in industrial orders by 3.6 percent in August, the official report argued that the current trend for German industry was likely to persist.
Monthly production in the energy sector grew at a slightly slower pace of 1.7 percent, followed by construction, at 1.2 percent.
