New car sales surge continues apace

Economic woes do not appear to be keeping buyers out of the car showrooms – registrations of new cars in the UK were up 3.5 per cent in June.

The fourth monthly rise in succession saw 189,514 cars registered, 2.5 per cent ahead of June figures for the previous three years.

However it is still some 15 per cent below the average figure prior to the recession-fuelled collapse of 2007.

Over the first half of 2012 registrations have increased 2.7 per cent, breaking through the million barrier in June with a total of 1,057,680 units.

Quarter two registrations have run some five per cent ahead of predictions made in April by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The annual running total in June was 1.97 million units in June, which compares with the full year 2011 total of 1.94 million units and a full year 2012 forecast of 1.95 million units.

Demand from private buyers is fuelling the increase, up 8.7 per cent in the first six months of 2012 with June up 9.8 per cent.

Demands for alternatively-fuelled cars is also growing, up 47.8 per cent in June with 2,481 registered.

Meanwhile the launch of a clutch of more eco-friendly cars has seen average new car CO2 emissions fall four per cent to 134.1g/km in first half of 2012.

SMMT Chief Executive Paul Everitt has welcomed the rising figures but warned against complacency. ”Despite domestic and international economic concerns, UK motorists are responding positively to new products and the latest fuel-efficient technology,” he says.

“The industry has performed better than expected in the first half of the year and we will now need to work hard to sustain growth.”

Ford’s Fiesta regained its spot at the top of the sales chart in June, having been briefly demoted by the Vauxhall Corsa in May. The Corsa held second ahead of the Ford Focus, VW Golf and BMW 3 Series.

Words by: Andrew Charman