New car sales roared ahead last month to create a new record for the month of July.
A total of 196,762 new cars were registered in July 2003 - a 0.6% increase on the previous record month of July 2002, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said.
The society now expects total 2003 sales to reach about 2.52 million - only a little less than the record total of 2.56 million achieved last year.
The July 2003 figures took the total number of new cars sold so far this year to 1.54 million - 0.1% up on the January-July 2002 total.
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Last month’s record total followed a bumper June 2003 when a best-ever figure for a month was also recorded. The new registration plates month of September is expected to see sales reach around 420,000 this year.
Demand for small cars continued last month, with supermini sales rising 8.9% and now accounting for more than one third of the market. Sales of Minis leapt from 2,382 in July 2002 to 4,282 in July 2003, putting the old favourite into the top 10 bestsellers’ list.
Diesel registrations saw their 34th successive monthly increase and were up 11.9% in July and 15.7% for the year to date.
Here are the top selling models in July 2003:
1. Ford Focus
2. Ford Fiesta
3. Peugeot 206
4. Vauxhall Corsa
5. Renault Clio
6. Vauxhall Astra
7. Ford Mondeo
8. Volkswagen Golf
9. Renault Megane
10.Mini