New Car Sales Increase Again

NEW registrations in July 2014 totalled 172,907 - a 6.6% rise on the July 2013 figure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

The latest figures took the year-so-far total to 1,460,172 - a 10.1% rise on the January-July 2013 total.

As a result, the SMMT has now upwardly revised its prediction for sales for the whole of 2014, forecasting that a total of 2.45 million could be reached.

This would be 8.1% up on the 2013 total and the best year-end figure since 2004.

Commenting on the figures, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "July saw the new car market extend its record period of growth to a 29th month, as confident consumers took advantage of an array of new products and attractive finance deals on the latest fuel-efficient new cars.

"The continued positivity has led to an uplift in our full-year forecast. However, the more moderate growth of the last three months shows that overall demand is beginning to stabilise."

The best-selling models in July 2014:

1. Ford Fiesta

2. Ford Focus

3. Vauxhall Corsa

4. Volkswagen Golf

5. Nissan Qashqai

6. Vauxhall Astra

7. Audi A3

8. Fiat 500

9. BMW 3 Series

10. Mini

By Press Association reporters