March 2015 is best car sales month since 1999

Figures released today show 492,774 cars were registered in March 2015 - the best month since the twice-yearly number plate changes were introduced in 1999. New products and attractive finance packages underpinned by low interest rates helped deliver this record result which was led by the fleet sector, with 11.6% year-on-year growth, reflecting the economic confidence currently felt by UK companies. Registrations so far this year have increased by 6.8% to 734,588.

The 37^th month of consecutive growth for the new car market shows the continuing demand for new products and new fuel-efficient and advanced technologies. The UK market surpassed pre-recession levels some seven months ago, helping bolster the economy and drive it out of recession. This growth, supported by domestic manufacturing, has attracted more than £14 billion of investment since 2011, creating almost 30,000 additional jobs.

Best sellers		March							Year-to-date
	1	Ford Fiesta			27,034		1		Ford Fiesta			39,804
	2	Vauxhall Corsa			19,391		2		Vauxhall Corsa			29,100
	3	Ford Focus			15,442		3		Ford Focus			22,287
	4	Nissan Qashqai			12,210		4		Volkswagen Golf			19,435
	5	Volkswagen Golf			11,871		5		Nissan Qashqai			18,686
	6	Volkswagen Polo			10,038		6		Vauxhall Astra			15,009
	7	Vauxhall Astra			9,617		7		Volkswagen Polo			14,821
	8	Audi A3			9,101		8		Audi A3			14,358
	9	Mercedes-Benz C-Class			8,755		9		Mercedes-Benz C-Class			13,975
	10	Fiat 500			8,662		10		Fiat 500			13,243