New car market grows 11.5% in April
· New car registrations rose 11.5% in April to 148,793, a tenth successive monthly increase.
· Volumes up on a weak 2009, with scrappage accounting for just 8.0% of the April market.
· UK-built cars again outpaced the market, growing by 25.5%.
· 2010 registration forecast increased to 1.924 million units following strong start to the year.
“As our new government establishes itself, the priority must be sustaining and strengthening the economic recovery with particular focus on encouraging the availability of more and better priced finance for businesses and consumers,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “April was another good month for the UK motor industry with private buyers responding positively, despite the end of the scrappage scheme. There are still difficult months ahead, but the strong start to 2010 has led SMMT to increase its annual forecast to 1.924 million units.”
