* October new car demand up 8.4 per cent exceeding expectations to 166,797 units
* Best monthly growth since December 2005
* Private demand up by 5.6 per cent in October and 1.3 per cent over year-to-date
* Year to October registrations up 2.5 per cent to 2,107,312 units
‘After a strong September, one of the key months for car buying, we are pleased, if a little surprised, that the growth has continued into October,’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘After interest rate rises, and the ongoing concerns within the banking sector, we expected private demand to weaken. However, October figures show private buyers are storming back to the showrooms, and SMMT has revised upwards the forecast for 2007 new car registrations. Interestingly, private buyers appear to be choosing smaller, more fuel-efficient cars with the Vauxhall Corsa topping the list in October, and the Ford Fiesta over 2007 so far.’
