New car registrations down 0.8% in September

September 2011 new car registration figures: New car registrations were down just 0.8% in September according to the latest figures released today by the SMMT.

332,476 cars were registered in the month, with the market 0.8% or 2,770 units down on September 2010 (which itself was down 8.9% on September 2009) and down 5% over the year-to-date.

“The all-important September market outperformed expectations and is less than 1% below last year at 332,476 units,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “We expected 2011 to be a challenging year and we are on track for a full year total of around 1.92 million new car registrations, 5% below 2010. SMMT has revised down its 2012 registrations forecast to 1.96 million units; a reflection of the continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies. It is important government acts to sustain an investment-led recovery and implements measures to encourage more private sector investment in R&D, skills, new plants and machinery.”

Top ten best sellers September

1	Fiesta	15,647
2	Focus	14,754
3	Corsa	14,339
4	Golf	10,628
5	Astra	10,462
6	Polo	8,607
7	Insignia	7,323
8	MINI	6,903
9	3 Series	6,352
10	Qashqai	6,068