PARIS: Sales of new cars in France plunged 15.8 percent in December from the same month of 2007 in the face of a worldwide financial meltdown, the French auto manufacturers’ commitee (CCFA) said Monday. “Like those of its European neighbors, the French auto market is feeling the effects of the global financial crisis,” the committee said. The French car market contracted 6.3 percent in the second half of 2008 after expanding 4.5 percent in the first. afp