April 8, 2008

Car sales rose by 0.5 % year on year in March 2008, with 451,642 new cars being sold.  Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), put the boost in sales down to “the number plate change and consumer desire for smaller lower emitting vehicles”. 

Although she did note that “the credit situation is likely to flatten the market over the next few months” 

The sales increase seen in March may not last, according to Robinson: “Many of the vehicles purchased in March would have been ordered in January and February, before the most recent economic pressures came to bear. Consumers now face even higher household costs and a tighter credit market.”

The most popular cars over the past few months have been Superminis and small, fuel efficient models.  This is likely to be a reflection of both the current fuel prices and the Chancellor’s intention to levy higher tax from less efficient vehicles.

Leave a comment

Type into the box below