August rise in car registrations

The number of UK car registrations rose by six per cent to 67,006 units in August, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The group reports that this is the second successive month of growth and builds on the 2.4 per cent gain in July. The SMMT believes the increase is influenced by the government's car scrappage incentive, which gives car buyers £2,000 to turn in their old vehicles.

The SMMT figures show that the majority of new car registrations were from private owners (35,694) for small, predominantly petrol cars.

The Ford Focus was the best-selling model in August, shifting 4,366 units, ahead of the Fiesta (2,968 units) and Hyundai i10 (2,431). The Ford Fiesta, however, has been the best seller over the year to date with 69,948 models sold.

September could also be a month for growth, but Paul Everitt, chief executive at the SMMT, warned the automotive market is still shaky.