May UK new car sales up 11 per cent

In May, private demand for cars in the UK climbed 20.9 per cent, outperforming pre-recession volumes recorded in 2007. However, May's total new car market remains down on 2007 levels. May's new car market secured the 15th successive month of growth and the largest May volume in six years. Registrations have risen 9.3 per cent for the year-to-date to 948,666 units.

The year-to-date new car market remains 9.2 per cent off 2007 volumes for the same period, but trends among private buyers provide a good indication that consumer confidence is strong. 

“The performance of new car registrations in May marks a significant milestone for UK automotive, with cars registered by private buyers rising more than 20 per cent, bettering pre-recession volumes posted in 2007,” said SMMT Interim Chief Executive, Mike Baunton. “While it is clear that buying confidence among UK motorists is very strong, continued economic uncertainty abroad, particularly in the rest of Europe, will mean that manufacturers remain cautious about performance in the second half of 2013.”