Business

Sales of new cars in north increase during March

The Renault Kadjar was the ninth best-selling car in Northern Ireland in March
The Renault Kadjar was the ninth best-selling car in Northern Ireland in March The Renault Kadjar was the ninth best-selling car in Northern Ireland in March

New car sales grew by 5.3 per cent in Northern Ireland in March compared with the same month last year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Some 7,807 people have registered a new car since March 1, and sales for this year so far are running at 18,807, which is 2.8 per cent better than at the same time 12 months ago.

Ford and Volkswagen each have two models in the top-10 list for the region, while the Renault Kadjar makes an appearance at number nine.

In the UK as a whole, 518,707 new cars left showroom - the most sales in a month since the current system for changing number plates was introduced in 1999.

Demand was up year-on-year across all fuel types, with diesel and petrol registrations growing by 4.8 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively, while alternatively fuelled vehicles enjoyed a rise of 21.5 per cent.

Registrations by private customers rose by 3.8 per cent, with fleet demand increasing by 6 per cent.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "The sector's strong growth in March rounds off a robust first quarter as consumers continue to demonstrate their appetite for new cars, especially ultra-low emission vehicles.

"This confidence should see registrations remain at a high but broadly stable level over the year, but could be undermined by political or economic uncertainty."

Top 10 new car registrations in Northern Ireland during March were:

1 Ford Fiesta

2 Vauxhall Astra

3 Kia Sportage

4 Seat Ibiza

5 Volkswagen Golf

6 Hyundai Tucson

7 Nissan Qashqai

8 Volkswagen Polo

9 Renault Kadjar

10 Ford Focus