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New car registrations fell by 4.4 per cent in 2011 to 1.941,253 units, according to figures released today by the SMMT.
The market was held back by private registrations, down 14.1 per cent for the year while fleet sales rose 4.7 per cent over the period.
Sales in December fell by 3.7 per cent, the 10th monthly decline in the year
“2011 proved to be a challenging year for the UK motor industry. Total new car registrations were slightly ahead of industry expectations at 1.94 million units, still down 4.4 per cent on 2010,” said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.
“Business and consumer confidence will be the key to a successful year, so it will be important that government delivers on its growth strategy and helps to resolve instability in the Euro Zone.”
The Ford Fiesta was the best selling new car in 2011, with the VW Golf the best selling diesel model. The
Supermini segment remains the largest in the UK, with a market share almost unchanged on 2010 at 36.3 per cent. The Executive, Luxury Saloon and Dual Purpose segments all recorded growth in registrations in 2011.