The UK's new car market has grown by over ten per cent in the first half of 2014, with some of the biggest gains coming from electric and alternatively-fuelled vehicles.
A total of 1,287,265 new cars have been registered in the first six months to June, with 228,291 units coming last month alone. That represents the best half-year total since 2005, and a 6.2 per cent increase on last June's numbers.
The alternatively-fuelled market has leapt by over 50 per cent on last year, with 23,337 new cars registered so far compared to 15,427 in the same period in 2013. The Society of Motor Manufacuturers and Traders says this is down to a "consumer demand for efficiency."
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "The overall market has risen faster than we were expecting but, after a bumper March, growth is showing signs of stabilising around our forecast level." The SMMT has forecasted total sales in 2014 will reach 2.4 million, the highest level since 2007.
Ford continues to lead the market in the UK, with over a 13 per cent market share and 173,554 new cars registered so far this year. Vauxhall is close behind with 141,609 units registered, with Volkswagen on 110,666 units.
Among the big movers so far in 2014 is Renault, whose half-year sales compared to last year are up by over 50 per cent, at 32,064 units
Best-selling models this month include the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus.
UK's best-selling cars in June 2014
1 Ford Fiesta 11,213 units registered
2 Vauxhall Corsa 7961
3 Ford Focus 7399
4 Volkswagen Golf 6546
5 Vauxhall Astra 6249
6 Nissan Qashqai 5356
7 Vauxhall Insignia 4660
8 Fiat 500 4177
9 BMW 3-series 3961
10 Audi A3 3893
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