1:54 pm, May 5, 2012
NEW car registrations rose 3.3 per cent in April to 142,322 units, the latest figures from the SMMT reveal
The month was the third, and largest, increase this year with January-April volumes up 1.4 per cent. Private registrations grew 14.8 per cent in April, continuing the sector’s recovery.
The figures have prompted the SMMT to revise its full year forecast to 1.95m units – higher than 2011 by 0.4 per cent.
‘A strong April new car market has raised confidence across the UK motor industry with registrations increasing 3.3 per cent,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.
‘We are seeing a steady increase in consumer confidence with growth in private demand, boosted by the arrival of a raft of new products. SMMT has increased its full year forecast to 1.95 million units, putting the market marginally ahead of 2011, indicating a period of relative stability.’
The Ford Fiesta was April’s best-seller, while the Fiat 500 made its entrance to the top ten for the first time this year.
