Car market outperforms expectations
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The September car number plate change saw 332,476 new cars registered, just 0.8% down on last year putting the figure for January to September volumes down 5% on the same period a year ago.
The Ford Fiesta (pictured) was the best selling model in both September and the year-to-date.
It was company fleet volumes that kept the market relatively buoyant as private registrations fell 9.3%. Expectations for the full year new car market are for the year to end 5.3% below 2010 levels at 1.92 million units.
Paul Everitt, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) which produces the figures said the September market outperformed expectations but added that he had expected 2011 to be a challenging year.
SMMT has revised down its 2012 registrations forecast to 1.96 million units; a reflection of the continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies. "It is important government acts to sustain an investment-led recovery and implements measures to encourage more private sector investment in R&D, skills, new plants and machinery," concluded Everitt.