The UK car market rose 7.9% year-on-year in February to 66,749 units, the twelfth successive month of growth.

Data released by the SMMT showed that the UK car market was boosted again by strong private demand in February. The upward trend in the UK car market continues to contrast with declining car markets elsewhere in Europe.

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New car sales in the first two months increased 10.3% to 210,392 units.

The SMMT said that the February car market secured the highest growth in the private retail market (year-on-year increase of 28.9%) since the end of the Scrappage Incentive Scheme in Spring 2010.

“UK new car registrations have risen every month for the last year with February continuing the trend, growing 7.9% year-on-year boosted by the highest increase in private consumer demand since spring 2010,” said Mike Baunton, Interim Chief Executive, SMMT.

“However, February is traditionally a low volume month as motorists look forward to the plate-change in March, but attractive new car deals are sustaining the market. New models are delivering ever greater fuel efficiency, practicality, refinement, technology and predictable ownership costs, so motorists are seeing the benefit of new car purchases.” 

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The SMMT noted that, given the subdued nature of the UK economy, market growth is likely to be the result of market specific factors – notably replacement demand being enticed through attractive deals and offers on new, more efficient cars.

February is typically the lowest volume monthly market in the year ahead of the plate-change in March. In 2012, February accounted for 3% of the annual market, whilst March took an 18.2% share. The SMMT said it is expecting new ’13’-plate registrations in March to be just ahead of last year’s 372,835 units.

The Ford Focus was the best selling model in February, whilst the Ford Fiesta took top spot in the year-to-date.

David Raistrick, UK Manufacturing Leader at Deloitte, said: “The UK new car market continues to defy gravity with growth levels in stark contrast to the contraction in the major European markets. The growth achieved in the UK during 2013 has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations, while European sales fell 12.8% in January.

“While the UK numbers remain strong, which is clearly in everyone’s interest, one must ask the question as to what is really different and driving strong performance in the UK by comparison to Europe, and in particular the stronger European economies such as Germany. As German new car sales continue to free fall, we need a deeper understanding of the drivers behind the UK’s growth. Is the lull before the storm, or a sustainable longer term high performance?”