8:05 am, June 8, 2012
NEW car registrations rose 7.9 per cent in May to 162,288 units, the latest figures from the SMMT reveal.
May was the largest percentage rise for 23 months boosted by 14.3 per cent growth in private demand, and ending a three-month decline, the fleet market was up 4.8 per cent in May.
Registrations over January-May have risen 2.6 per cent to 868,166 units.
‘May’s 7.9 per cent increase in new car registrations is good news for the motor industry and the UK economy, particularly the steady growth in demand from private buyers,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.
‘There is no doubt that vehicle manufacturers and their dealer networks are working hard to deliver value for money to motorists and the consistent climb in new car registrations during the first five months of the year suggests that confidence is returning, despite financial uncertainty in the eurozone.’
