Despite the shrinking economy, new car registrations rose slightly during May, data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has revealed.
162,288 new cars were registered during May, a 7.9% increase over the number sold during the same period in 2011.
The rise was the largest percentage increase in new car sales for 23 months. Private registrations were the largely responsible for the increase, having grown by 14.3% over 2011 figures.
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said, "May's 7.9% increase in new car registrations is good news for the motor industry and the UK economy, particularly the steady growth in demand from private buyers."
The best-selling cars during May were the Vauxhall Corsa, with 8,413 new vehicles registered, followed by the Ford Fiesta and Focus, with 8,337 and 6,983 sales respectively.
The table below shows the full details.
| May | Total | Diesel | Petrol | AFV | Private | Fleet | Business |
| |
|||||||
| 2012 | 162,288 | 85,081 | 75,099 | 2,108 | 69,672 | 87,126 | 5,490 |
| 2011 | 150,431 | 79,562 | 69,270 | 1,599 | 60,963 | 83,121 | 6,347 |
| % change | 7.9% | 6.9% | 8.4% | 31.8% | 14.3% | 4.8% | -13.5% |
| Mkt share ’12 | 52.4% | 46.3% | 1.3% | 42.9% | 53.7% | 3.4% | |
| Mkt share ’11 | 52.9% | 46.0% | 1.1% | 40.5% | 55.3% | 4.2% |
