The new car market has increased 5.0% over the year-to-date, growing in all but one month, totalling 1,771,861 units. This represents an increase of 83,823 units on a year ago.

Petrol, diesel and alternatively-fuelled vehicle markets posted strong growth in the month and over the year-to-date, with most vehicle segments growing as well, notably small car and dual purpose segments.

SMMT has revised up its forecast for the full year to over two million units, from 1.94m in 2011.

Ford Fiesta is still the most popular vehicle across all markets, both in the month of October (8,058 units) as well as over the year-to-date (96,805 units), followed in second by the Vauxhall Corsa (OCT: 6,285 YTD: 78,760) and the Ford Focus (OCT: 5,834 YTD: 70,355) in third.

Although down by 3.7% on last October, the Fleet Sector retained 51.4% of the overall market share last month, however fell just below the half way mark over the year-to-date at 49.7%.

‘Despite uncertainty in the European economy, the UK new car market continues to grow, with registrations rising more than 12% in October to 151,252 units,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. ‘It is encouraging to see the alternatively-fuelled vehicle market performing strongly, up 13% so far this year. Although the alternatively-fuelled vehicle sector represents only a small share of the overall market, it is vital that government sustains its consumer incentive programme and maximises the benefits available through the vehicle taxation system,’ he added. 

Van registrations in particular were down in October to 17,794 units, rolling year down 3.6%, with 245,960 registrations.

‘SMMT recently updated its forecast for light van registrations, suggesting a 6.5% drop in van volumes for 2012, a situation reflected by the weak October market that fell 8.1% versus 2011,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. ‘Despite almost 10% decline in the month, trucks have performed well in 2012, up 13% for the year-to-date after significant growth in the rigid sector earlier this year,’ he added.