New car sales September 2014 best in ten years. But...

New car sales / registrations in the UK in September 2014 were the best since 2004, but SMMT warn that the continuing increase is starting to level off.

The Ford Fiesta was again the best-selling car – September 2014

We’ve got used to new car sales / registration reusing month after month, and September 2014 is no different.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is reporting new registration for the important plate change month of September at 425,681 units, the strongest September performance since 2004 and the 31st month in a row new car sales have increased.

But the SMMT do say that although September’s figures show yet another increase, it only represents a rise of 5.6 per cent compared to the March plate change registrations rise of 18 per cent, an indication that the new car marekt is starting to level off after nearly three years of growth.

Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO, said:

September’s strong performance underlined the continuing robustness of the UK new car market, particularly in the context of last September’s bumper volumes.
Demand for the new 64-plate has been boosted by intensifying confidence in the UK economy, with consumers attracted by a wide range of exciting, increasingly fuel-efficient, new cars. In the months since March – which saw an 18% jump in registrations – the growth has shown signs of levelling off as the market starts to find its natural running rate.

As usual, it’s Ford out in front in September with the Fiesta at the top followed by the Focus, with the VW Golf lapping up third place and Vauxhall’s Astra falling to fourth, just ahead of the VW Polo and Fiat 500.