New UK Car Sales Hit Record High In June

New car registrations reached a record high in June, growing 7% in the first half of this year.

The figures, released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), show that 1,376,889 new cars were registered in the first six months of 2015.

This narrowly beats the previous high of 1,376,565, recorded in the six months between January and June 2004.

Low interest rates, attractive finance deals offered by car manufacturers and a demand for newer models with the latest technology were all cited as reasons for the increase.

June marked the 40th consecutive month of growth for new car sales, with a boost of 12.9% to mark 257,817 vehicles sold.

The data also showed British buyers are increasingly choosing British-built models.

Around one in six, or 14% of customers opted for a car manufactured in Britain in the first six months of 2015 – the highest recorded level in five years.

Another trend was towards alternatively fuelled vehicles – sales of electric and hybrid vehicles rose 71% in June from the same month last year, due to both fleet registrations and private sales.

The Ford Fiesta is the top-selling car model so far this year, with the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus in second and third.

UK models Nissan Qashqai and Mini were also among the overall top 10 sellers.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: "It is still a great time to buy a new car in the UK, and it is encouraging to see more consumers choosing British models.

"This is important for the wider economy with 799,000 people now employed across the UK automotive sector, including retail."

But Hawes added that the rise was not expected to continue in the coming months.

"We anticipate a flatter second half of the year as the market finds its natural running rate," he said.