New car sales best gain
November 5th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
NEW car sales for October were up a huge 31.6% on 2008 levels – the biggest month of growth in 2009.
Figures just released by the SMMT show that 168,942 new cars were sold in October.
This takes the year-to-date total to 1,685,981 sales – meaning the year-on-year fall continues to decline. It now stands at -12.3 percent.
The 4th month of new car sales gains is again thanks to the scrappage scheme, said SMMT chief Paul Everitt.
‘October has seen this year’s biggest monthly increase in registrations, with the successful scrappage scheme accounting for over 20 percent of them.
‘We have seen additional demand created by the extension of the scheme and customers wanting to avoid the VAT increase planned for January.’
But it’s not just a massive 86 percent rise in private sales that is driving the new car market, he added. ‘Encouragingly, there has also been an increase in demand in the fleet and business sectors, which will be critical in sustaining recovery next year.’
By Richard Aucock
Top 10 best sellers for October
1 Ford Fiesta
2 Vauxhall Astra
3 Ford Focus
4 Vauxhall Corsa
5 Volkswagen Golf
6 Peugeot 207
7 Renault Clio
8 Hyundai i10
9 MINI
10 Fiat 500
Was it right to extend scrappage?
Tags: new car scrap, sales, scrappage, SMMT