05 Nov 09 11:53
Biggest rise of the year
October's new car sales have risen 31.6%, the biggest rise of the year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
In October 168,942 new cars were registered, the best month this year. Total year-to-date sales, meanwhile, are still 12.8% down compared with 2008 with 1,685,981 cars sold up to October.
The SMMT said 20% of all new cars were bought using the government's scrappage incentives. The industry body also said the forthcoming reintroduction of the 17.5% VAT rate in January was also motivating buyers to snap up cars now.
The biggest winner in October sales chart was the Ford Fiesta, selling 8,812 vehicles.
The Fiat 500 just squeezed into the top 10, selling 2,989 cars. Seven of the top 10 cars sold were superminis.
