The UK's new car market is continuing to grow, recording the 29th consecutive month of rising sales according to new figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The figures show that a total of 172,907 cars were registered in July. That represents an increase of more than six per cent compared to the same month last year. Registrations for the year to date are currently more than ten per cent higher than 2013.
The positive figures have prompted the SMMT to revise its prediction for 2014's overall new car registrations. The organisation now expects the UK market to surpass 2.54m by the end of the year.
Alternatively fuelled vehicle sales also continue to grow, with 3292 electric and hybrid cars registered last month and 26,629 sold in the year to date. That's an increase of 6.8 per cent compared the same period last year.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "In July the new car market extended its record period of growth to a 29th month, as confident consumers took advantage of an array of new products and attractive finance deals on the latest fuel-efficient new cars."
There's little change in the order of Britain's best-selling manufacturers and cars. Ford continues to lead with combined sales of 23,647 cars last month, representing a market share of more than 13 per cent. In second place is Vauxhall with 18,756 units registered, and Volkswagen sits in third place with 14,017 units.
Among the brands making big gains last month was Renault, which recorded a year-on-year sales increase of 76 per cent compared with July 2013, with a total of 4088 cars registered last month. Seat and Skoda also performed well, with sales up by 41 per cent and 54 per cent respectively.
UK's best-selling cars in July 2014
1. Ford Fiesta 8854 units registered
2. Ford Focus 6013
3. Vauxhall Corsa 5467
4. Volkswagen Golf 5135
5. Nissan Qashqai 4729
6. Vauxhall Astra 4267
7. Audi A3 3522
8. Fiat 500 3021
9. BMW 3-series 2625
10. Mini 2384
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Alternatively fuelled vehicles....
Good news for the industry
In the absence of any significant road building in this country, I'd like to see one old car taken off the road for every new one added: bring back the scrappage scheme, I say!
One would think that every
Is It Because?