The overall number of new cars registered to fleets and businesses in March was up by 19% compared to the same month last year, according to figures from the Society of Motor manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

There were 184,940 fleet and business new car registrations in March, equating to 46.5% of an overall market of 397,383 units.

That brings total fleet and business new car registrations for the first three months of this year to 303,192 units – a 49.6% share of the market – and puts a target of 1 million new car registrations for the year well within reach.

“The UK motor industry has enjoyed a better than anticipated first quarter of 2010,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “A strong March performance was underpinned by the scrappage incentive and improving demand in the fleet sector.

“The coming months will remain challenging and headline registration numbers are expected to dip, but underlying demand will continue to improve slowly.”

In 2009, there were 980,695 fleet and business new car registrations out of an overall figure of 1,994,999 units – 49.1% of the market.
 

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