Car sales up despite end of scrappage

New car sales were up in April, compared with the same period in 2009 despite the end of the scrappage scheme.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveal that 148,793 new cars were registered in April, an increase of 11.5% on the same period in 2009.

Down but up
Although the SMMT expects sales in the coming months to fall off as the last of the scrappage registrations filter through, it has still increased its year-end forecast for 2010, after a stronger-than-expected first quarter.

It now predicts 1.92 million new cars will hit UK roads by the end of the year, compared with its previous prediction of 1.82 million.

Super superminis
The strongest sellers continue to be superminis, which occupy six of the top 10 places in April and seven in the year-to-date figures.

Top 10 sellers March
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10Car
Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Astra
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Corsa
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Polo
Audi A3
Peugeot 207
Mini
BMW 3 SeriesSales in April
6808
6440
6279
5945
5828
3653
3400
3152
2869
2802

Top 10 sellers in 2010 year to date
Position
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10Car
Ford Fiesta
Ford Focus
Vauxhall Astra
Vauxhall Corsa
Volkswagen Golf
Volkswagen Polo
Peugeot 207
Renault Clio
Mini
Audi A3Sales 2010
42,610
34,256
29,365
29,212
22,778
18,840
17,353
14,653
13,896
13,343