Fleet sales rise 2.2% year on year as overall new car market falls 

Overall new car registrations dropped in October by 1.1% year on year, but fleet registrations have still seen growth.

SMMT figures show 177,664 new cars were registered in the month, representing a slight decrease of 1.1% on last year’s figure, ending a record 43 consecutive months of growth.

Fleet registrations remain up, with year on year growth in October of 2.2%, showing year-to-date growth of 11.9%.

Registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles were up 3.8%, reaching 3% of the total market for the first time. 

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said:“The UK car market has gone through a period of unprecedented growth and, so far, 2015 has been a bumper year with the strongest performance since the recession.

"As expected, demand has now begun to level off but the sector is in a strong position, as low interest rates, consumer confidence and exciting new products combine to attract new car buyers. The current full-year growth forecast remains on track.”