The number of new cars sold in the UK so far in 2014 has passed 1.5 million - a rise of over ten per cent on 2013. The rise means the industry has posted its 30th month of consecutive growth.
One of the quietest months in the automotive calendar, typically accounting for just three per cent of annual sales, a total of 72,163 new cars were registered in the UK in August. That's up by almost ten per cent on last year.
September's new car sales figures are expected to continue the current trend, buoyed by the recent number plate change, and should account for around 18 per cent of the year's total registrations.
Despite the success of the new car market, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - which compiles the data - says it expects the market to level out towards the end of the year.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "New car registrations reached two-and-a-half years of consecutive monthly growth in August, as confident private and fleet customers continued to snap up enticing deals on a wealth of advanced new products.
"As the UK market starts to find its natural level, we expect to see the growth level off during coming months."
UK's best-selling cars in August 2014
1. Ford Fiesta 4657 units registered
2. Ford Focus 2740
3. Vauxhall Corsa 2435
4. Volkswagen Golf 2376
5. Vauxhall Astra 2043
6. Audi A3 1641
7. Volkswagen Polo 1299
8. Fiat 500 1203
9. Vauxhall Insignia 1201
10. Nissan Qashqai 1154
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How come the Focus still
In the 90s the UK top ten was
Apart from a brief showing by the 208 when it was launched, the UK top ten is a French free zone.