November Car Registrations Up

According to figures released by the SMMT, car registrations went up 172,094 units (1.8 per cent) in November, leading to confidence that by the end of the year 2004 will be a growth year. This is exemplified in the fact that year-to-date figures are only 682 units behind the 2003 level. In order for 2004 to be a record year only 156,135 cars need to be registered. Commenting on the announcement, SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan said: “November’s new car market was the second largest on record, boosting registrations towards a fourth consecutive record annual total. While the December market is difficult to predict, 156,135 new cars would see another record total. With Christmas coming, it remains to be seen if enough people have a new car on their gift list.”