The UK car market has received a big vote of confidence today with reports showing new car sales are soaring.
April registrations were the highest month so far this year and follow a record first quarter for the industry, and there is little sign of slacking demand, said the SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
April sales of 185,778 took the industry to its 38th consecutive month of growth with a 51% increase over the same month in 2014 and Mr Hawes said it was important the next government maintained strong economic polices and supported the automotive sector.
Behind the figures there are signs that diesel cars are losing sales to hybrids and electric models but petrol powered vehicles are barely altering and some of this may be explained by the small increase in fleet sales over the last year where tax incentives favour lower emissions.
April’s best sellers were the Ford Fiesta, Ford Focus, VW Golf, Vauxhall Corsa, Nissan Qashqai, VW Polo, Audi A3, Vauxhall Astra, Mercedes C Class and Mini.
In Wales, sales rose 4.66% for April to 6,717 new cars.
The best sellers in Wales were: | |
1 Fiesta 568 | 6 Aygo 157 |
2 Corsa 332 | 7 Sandero 140 |
3 Focus 293 | 8 Qashqai 137 |
4 Kuga 189 | 9 Mokka 120 |
5 Polo 186 | 10 Golf 107 |