New car registrations jumped 26.6 percent year-on-year in March, thanks to the continued positive influence of scrappage and a resurgence of private sales, according to latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
"The UK motor industry has enjoyed a better than anticipated first quarter of 2010," says Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "A strong March performance was underpinned by the scrappage incentive and improving demand in the fleet sector. The coming months will remain challenging and headline registration numbers are expected to dip, but underlying demand will continues to improve slowly."
397,383 cars were registered last month, with scrappage accounting for 12.2 percent of the total, they say.
Jaguar Land Rover seems to be riding the crest of a wave too, with both the company's brands reporting a good month.
Land Rover is claiming the best-ever sales month in its 62 year history, with over 11,300 vehicles finding new owners in March.
"Land Rover UK has had an incredible start to 2010 - March has seen an all-time record in our home market which is extremely encouraging," says LR md Phil Popham.
"The sales increase is mainly owed to the phenomenal response received from customers and media to the award winning 2010 model year Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery 4 and Freelander 2. It is the most efficient and technologically advanced line-up of vehicles Land Rover has ever had, ensuring a continued demand for our brand"
Meanwhile Jaguar has reported that sales of the XF doubled in March. Overall Jaguar performance in the UK is up 1.1 per cent, with total sales of 3056 compared with 3024 last March; all the more impressive considering the X-Type was discontinued at the end of 2009 and sales of the all-new new XJ are due to commence from May, the company says.
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