Relief as sales soar

Sales of new cars rocketed by 32 per cent in October – 2009’s best month yet.

A total of 168,942 motors were registered, with demand from private buyers soaring 86 per cent in the month.

Paul Everitt, boss of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said growth was far better than expected and that the scrappage scheme extension, plus the impending VAT increase, motivated buyers.

Top-selling car for the month was Ford’s Fiesta – 8,812 found homes – while Vauxhall took second spot, shifting 7,415 new Astras. Scrappage accounted for one sale in five overall.

Total new car registrations in the first 10 months of 2009 stand at 1.68 million, down 12.3 per cent compared with the same period in 2008.