January sees new car sales climb

07/02/12

By Emma McFarnon

The beginning of what experts predict will be an exciting year for the car market was marked by a modest climb in new car sales.

Official figures reveal a 0.03 per cent rise in new registrations last month, up from 128,811 in January 2011 to 128,853 in January 2012.

The market was given a further boost by private sales, which were up 2.7 per cent.

Meanwhile registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles rose by more than 17 per cent in the month, but accounted for only 1.6 per cent of the market. Diesel came out tops, with its share of the market rising from 50.5 per cent a year ago to 53.7 per cent.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has high hopes for the year ahead. SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "2012 is set to be an exciting year, with record numbers of new models coming to the market filled with innovative technology that will save the motorist fuel, enhance comfort and further increase levels of safety and security."

The new car market is expected to remain stable this year, dipping just 1 per cen to 1.92 million units in 2012, before recovering in 2013, the SMMT said.