The automotive industry is continuing its recovery after the ravaging recession it suffered, with registrations of new cars climbing for the eleventh successive month in May.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), registrations were up 13.5% on May 2009’s figures to 153,095 units, although that number is still 4.6% or 26,177 units down on the 2008 level.
Volumes over the first five months of 2010 have now risen 22%. However, with the scrappage scheme having come to an end in March, analysts expect full year registrations to dip slightly in 2010 overall.
“May was another good month for the UK new car market, although we expect the coming months to be extremely challenging,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “It is essential that the upcoming emergency budget promotes consumer and business confidence to maintain economic recovery.”
The top selling models for May and the year so far are Ford’s Focus and Fiesta respectively.
