Car sales rise on back of scrappage

• 367,929 cars registered
• Dramatic 11% increase
• Scrappage behind the rise

Latest News

• Nissan Micra recall over steering wheel
• Mercedes E-Class Coupe and Cabrio prices
• Preview the new Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Used car prices fall in April

UK car sales have risen again, with scrappage and soaring demand for 59-plate cars driving a dramatic increase in the number of registrations in September.

Figures reveal that 367,929 new cars were registered in Britain last month. That's an 11% increase over the same period last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Scrappage is a winner, but business buyers still in decline
The SMMT says that scrappage-scheme buyers accounted for 77,000 car sales in September, but figures also revealed that sales to businesses and large fleets are still declining.

Hyundai and Kia cash in
Hyundai and Kia continue to be the big winners with the scrappage scheme.

Hyundai enjoyed its best ever month in September, selling 11,000 cars - 8300 of them under the scheme. The company reports that it still has 10,000 orders for its i10 city car outstanding.

Kia registered 9700 cars, with 5130 of them qualifying for the scrappage rebate, and reports that demand for its Picanto remains strong.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: 'Market conditions remain challenging, with demand being underpinned by the extremely successful scrappage incentive scheme.'

The top 10 best-sellers in September
1) Ford Fiesta – 22,635 sales
2) Vauxhall Corsa – 16,379
3) Ford Focus – 13,622
4) Vauxhall Astra – 13,190
5) Volkswagen Golf – 11,787
6) Peugeot 207 – 9,161
7) Mini – 8,634
8) BMW 3 Series – 7,465
9) Toyota Yaris – 6,896
10) BMW 1 Series – 6,671