12 per cent rise in new car sales in February

Good news for British car industry as it sees a further 12 per cent rise in new car sales is recorded in February as the Ford Fiesta holds on to top spot.

The boom in new car sales in the UK shows little sign of letting up in 2015, with February representing the 36th consecutive month of growth.

According to statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a total of 76,958 found new homes last month. That figure is an increase of 12per cent on February 2014.

This latest rise in figures was driven mostly by fleet buyers, though private registrations are likely to be at the forefront again as we head in to March, historically the biggest month in the car-buying calendar.

The three years of consecutive growth has also been put down largely to the number of new products on offer and attractive finance deals available to potential buyers.  Ford Fiesta once again out in the lead ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa, with the Vauxhall Astra sitting in third place.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Three years of continuous growth in the new car market is remarkable and reflects the strong upturn in the confidence of UK car buyers since the recession.

“Over the course of 2015, however, we are expecting a more stable market to emerge given there has already been an extended period of consistent growth.”