New car sales continue to speed ahead

NEW car sales rose in April for the tenth successive month, figures yesterday revealed.

A total of 148,793 new vehicles were registered last month, an 11.5 per cent rise on the April 2009 figure, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.

Just 8 per cent of last month's total was down to the government's car-scrappage scheme, which has now finished.

Strong early-year sales have prompted the SMMT to revise upwards its 2010 total registration figure to 1.92 million. "April was another good month for the UK motor industry with private buyers responding positively, despite the end of the scrappage scheme," it said. "However, there are still difficult months ahead."

The Ford Fiesta continues to be the UK's best-selling car followed by the Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa and Volkswagen Golf. Diesels now account for 45 per cent of new car sales.