New car sales enjoy a 20pc surge in 2010
THE car industry continued its steady recovery, reporting a 10.8 per cent year-on-year rise in new registrations.
Registrations topped 195,000 in June, the 12th successive monthly increase. The figures were helped by a 25 per cent increase in sales in the fleet market and large-scale orders from businesses.
This helped to offset the end of a scrappage scheme offering motorists incentives to trade in older models.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) chief executive Paul Everitt said: “The new car market continued to perform above expectations in June.
“The industry still expects challenging economic conditions in the second half of the year, and government action to improve access to credit for consumers and businesses will be important in sustaining the momentum of recovery.”
The Vauxhall Astra was the best-selling model in June, the first time it has topped the
sales chart since February 2008.
Ford’s Fiesta model was the best-selling car over the first half of 2010, ahead of Ford’s
Focus and the Astra.
The scrappage scheme accounted for only a fraction of registrations after it closed to new orders earlier this year.
Jointly funded by the government and the industry, the scheme offered new motorists £2,000 to trade in cars more than a decade old for more fuel efficient vehicles.
Similar to schemes in other European nations, it was designed to shield the industry from the worst effects of the recession.
FAST FACTS | CAR SALES
The car industry has recorded 12 consecutive increases in new registrations.
The axing of a scrappage scheme designed to encourage owners of old cars to trade for efficient new models did not adversely hit the figures.