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UK Car Sales Up 5.9% in March, Ford Leads Market

Ford Fiesta Facelift 1 photo
Photo: Ford
Britain's banking industry was among the hardest hit when the financial crisis hit, but they are also the quickest to recover. While France, Italy or Spain reel from massive unemployment, the UK car market has grown a very impressive 5.9 percent in March.
With 394,806 sold on the new 13-plates, March proved unexpectedly positive. During the whole of the first quarter, sales were up 7.4 percent or 41,642 units, reaching 605,198 units. Sales in the UK has continuously risen over the past 13 months, making Britain one of the most attractive markets right now.

As usual, Ford was ahead of the pack, as the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) suggest the Fiesta is once again the top seller with well over 20,000 sales in a single month, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus.

While all major car segments showed increases, superminis proved the most attractive cars for people in Britain, due mainly to the deluge of new models.

""UK new car registrations out-performed expectations in March, the first month of the new 13-plate. The market increased more than 5% on March 2012 to almost 395,000 units. Despite ongoing economic concerns, consistent monthly growth in the market is an encouraging sign of returning consumer confidence as motorists are attracted to forecourts by new models and the latest technologies," said Mike Baunton, the SMMT's interim chief executive.
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About the author: Mihnea Radu
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Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida.
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