The SMMT shows that fleet registrations last month rose 2.0% compared to June last year, reaching a total of 102,209 units and giving the segment a 55.8% market share – up from 51.3% last year.

The latest figures mean that the fleet sector is now up 3.4% year to date, with a total of 537,815 units, while market share has risen from 46.9% to 52.2%.

In contrast, registrations in the sub 25 business sector slumped 22.7% last month to a total of 8,124 units, reducing its market share from 5.4% in June 2010 to 4.4% last month.

However, the growth seen in recent months means that the business sector is still marginally up year to date, by 0.1% to 53,624, while its market share for the first six months of 2011 is up to 5.2% from 4.8% last year.

Private registrations were down again in June, with a fall of 13.8%, and are down 18.1% year to date, but the SMMT said that the pace of slowdown in the private sector has moderated, as the scrappage scheme’s impact has now all but passed.

Commenting on the figures, Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: 'June new car registrations continued to perform in line with industry expectations with robust demand in the fleet sector and a relatively weak retail market. The balance of demand makes this a tough time for vehicle manufacturers and their dealer networks.

'Slow, but steady economic growth in the second half of the year should see volumes increase, although the overall market is still expected to be around 1.93 million units.'