Car registrations fall again

• Sales figures down for November…
• …but better than expected
• Tough outlook for 2011

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New car registrations fell for the fifth month in a row in November, but car sales are still expected to finish 2% higher for 2010 compared with 2009.

Sales figures for November were down by 11.5% compared with the same period last year. However, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) says that 2009's figures were inflated because of the scrappage scheme, and that the current figures were better than expected.

A total of 139,875 cars were registered last month, with the Ford Fiesta being the top-selling model.

'New car registrations fell by less than expected in November, with demand from the fleet sector helping to offset the market rebalancing following the end of the Scrappage Incentive Scheme,' said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.

'Year-end volumes are expected to be more than 2.03 million cars, 2% up from last year, but next year will continue to be challenging as consumer spending tightens and the Government’s austerity measures take effect.'

The SMMT expects total sales to fall by 5% in 2011.