* Car industry demand recovers as showrooms reopen

* Corona lockdowns hit demand stalling sales

* Order books improving - IFO

BERLIN, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Germany's car industry has seen demand picking up after coronavirus-related restrictions were eased and auto industry exports are expected to rise, a survey published by the Ifo economic institute on Tuesday showed.

Business expectations, demand and order books all improved last month, Ifo said, but it cautioned that the survey's indicator for the current business situation was still negative in July.

Volkswagen and Daimler have said customers have returned to showrooms after corona lockdowns eased, resulting in a gradual rebound in demand in Europe and China. (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Edward Taylor Editing by Michelle Martin)