New car registrations return to growth despite slump in VW sales

Steady growth for petrol and diesel cars while six per cent rise keeps alternatively fuelled cars ahead of curve

New car registrations return to growth despite slump in VW sales
Volkswagen brands suffer a big fall in new car registrations.

Following October’s decline, the first in 44 months, registrations of new cars in the UK returned to growth in November, according to figures released by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

178,876 cars were registered in the month, an increase of 3.8 per cent over November 2014, while the overall market in the first 11 months of 2015 has seen 6.2 per cent growth to 2,453,426 units.

Demand for both petrol and diesel models remains robust with respective gains of 3.8 per cent and 3.6 per cent, while the popularity of alternatively fuelled vehicles continues to grow with an 8.6 per cent uplift.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “November’s figures come as a reminder of the strength of the UK car market, as low interest rates and competitive finance deals continue to attract consumers to new car ownership.

“We have been expecting a levelling-off in demand for some time now – a development that is being realised following an unprecedented three-and-a-half years of non-stop growth.”

Volkswagen sales slump

However, sales of Volkswagens fell by 20 per cent year-on-year last month.

Other VW brands also suffered with Audi sales falling by 4 per cent, Seat by 24 per cent and Skoda by 11 per cent.

The slump in sales follows one of the biggest corporate scandals ever and has left Volkswagen facing the threat of fines and legal claims worth billions of pounds.

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