New car registrations on track to hit 2.25 million target

Latest figures from the SMMT show the UK car market is on track to hit its target of 2.25 million vehicle registrations in 2013.

The new car market rose by seven per cent in November, with 159,581 vehicles registered. In total, more than two million cars have been bought in 2013, an almost ten per cent rise on the 2012 full-year figure of 2,044,609.

Diesel vehicles took the majority of new car sales in November, with 83,962 units registered against 73,247 petrol vehicles. Overall, diesel cars have taken the lion's share of the market in 2013, accounting for 49.6 per cent of all new car registrations.

The continued rise of alternative fuel vehicles means that sector of the market has seen a 16.4 per cent rise this year, with 30,496 vehicles registered so far in 2013.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "Motorists have bought more than two million cars so far in 2013, a tremendous success for the industry on the back of buoyant consumer confidence and innovative new products." 

"With the UK economy looking increasingly positive, we can expect strong underlying demand for new cars to continue into 2014, with volumes set to match or surpass those seen this year."

Chevrolet's new car registrations were down by 23.21 per cent in November, and down by 13.49 per cent overall. GM has confirmed it is to withdraw the Chevrolet brand from the UK in 2015.

The likes of the Ford Fiesta, Focus and Vauxhall Corsa continue to be the best-selling cars in the UK this year, but an increasing presence from the BMW 1-series, Volkswagen Polo and Peugeot 308 also put those models into the top ten sellers of 2013.

UK BEST SELLERS, NOVEMBER 2013

1 Ford Fiesta - 8796

2 Ford Focus - 5298

3 Vauxhall Astra - 50777

4 Vauxhall Corsa - 4958

5 Volksagen Volkswagen Golf - 4074

6 Vauxhall Insignia - 3175

7 Nissan Qashqai - 3046

8 Fiat 500 - 3024

9 BMW 3-series - 2999

10 Nissan Juke - 2851