Car sales fall in January

Car showrooms were quiet in January, with registrations of new cars dropping by 11.5% to 128,811, according the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The drop in demand was expected and means sales have continued to drop for seven consecutive months.

By the end of 2011 the SMMT is predicting that sales will have dropped around 5% compared with 2010 to 1.93 million.

Although they continue to occupy most of the top 10 best-selling places, demand for small family cars and superminis fell sharply compared with a year ago when the scrappage incentive was in place. Demand for MPVs and executive and luxury cars increased.

Top 10 best-sellers January 2011
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10Model
Ford Focus
Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Corsa
Volkswagen Golf
BMW 3 Series
Volkswagen Polo
Vauxhall Insignia
Peugeot 207
Nissan Qashqai
Registered
7582
5844
4510
4363
4110
3184
3010
2236
2171
2108