UK car sales up year-on-year in October

New car sales figures from the SMMT show month on month sales were up 12.1 per cent compared to October last year. Fleet registrations increased by 4.5 per cent last month whilst private registrations increased by 23.9 per cent. Alternative Fuel Vehicles (AFVs) saw sales increase by a huge 38.8 per cent.

Commenting on the figures, Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, said: "Retail car sales continue to drive the market in October whilst fleet sales remain flat."

She continued: “Retail customers are now committing to buying cars often helped by the competitive offers made available by the manufacturer. In particular, Personal Contract Purchase plans are helping to boost sales as they offer a low cost finance option to many consumers.

“Smaller cars and AFVs continue to sell well, indicating consumers are now looking for a more economically and environmentally friendly vehicle that offers better fuel economy and cheaper maintenance.”

Ford increases market lead

Market leader Ford reports that within these figures it increased its car sales and share in October and year-to-date, compared with the same periods in 2011. Ford car sales in October were up 12.3 per cent, compared with October 2011.  According to the SMMT, Ford’s Fiesta was the bestselling car in October and year-to-date. Ford car sales in October totalled 20,740, while year-to-date Ford registrations of 245,109 were up 5.2 per cent compared with the same period in 2011.

Ford Fiesta sales have increased year-over-year through 2012, going up from 84,506 to 96,805 for the year to date, compared with the same period in 2011, and the Fiesta’s car market share is up from 5.0 to 5.5 per cent. In October, the Fiesta recorded 8,058 sales and a 5.4 per cent share.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said:  “Increasing UK sales has drawn extra production in from depressed European markets, so it is a credit to Ford’s outstanding product line-up and its dealer partners that Ford’s market lead has been strengthened during this period of intense rivalry for sales.

Ford’s CV (light truck) market leadership reportedly remains unchallenged with a 24.0 per cent share of the total CV market in October and a 22.3 per cent share for the year to date. Ford medium commercials hold 31.6 per cent of the CV market for the year to date and in October accounted for 32.7 per cent of the total CV market.