The UK’s new car market has grown again in September, as the introduction of new 64-plate cars drove sales upwards for the 31st consecutive month.
A total of 425,861 cars were registered last month, resulting in the best September performance since 2004 – with the industry also up 5.6 per cent on August's results. Total registrations between January and September have now passed 1.9 million, up by over nine per cent on 2013.
However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that last month’s more moderate growth compared to earlier in the year shows the industry is starting to level off in its recovery.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Demand for the new 64-plate has been boosted by intensifying confidence in the UK economy, with consumers attracted by a wide range of exciting, increasingly fuel-efficient, new cars.
“In the months since March – which saw an 18 per cent jump in registrations – the growth has shown signs of levelling off as the market starts to find its natural running rate.”
Sales of electric and alternatively-fuelled vehicles also continue to rise, with 9955 units registered last month. That’s up by over 55 per cent on the 6387 units registered in September 2013. Overall, alternatively-fuelled vehicles have accounted for 2.3 per cent of the market so far in 2014.
UK’s best-selling cars in September 2014
Ford Fiesta 23,266 units registered
Ford Focus 13,508
Volkswagen Golf 13,011
Vauxhall Corsa 12,506
Volkswagen Polo 10,312
Fiat 500 9122
Vauxhall Astra 8861
Audi A3 7317
Peugeot 208 6968
Nissan Qashqai 6847
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Impressive or worrying
So how many electric cars?
Otherwise it seems to be the usual suspects occupying the top 10, but the BMW 3-Series seems to have gone missing...