New car industry on track for record sales this year, SMMT reveals

New car registrations in the UK rose 2.9% in November to 184,101 units, driven by fleet and business sales.

The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders marked the first time the industry sold more than 2.5 million vehicles in the first eleven months of the year.

The sector is on now on course to beat the 2.63 million vehicles sold last year with a new record.

"The overall growth in what is usually a quiet month is extremely positive and annual figures are still projected to reach over 2.67 million of units," said Sue Robinson, the Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association.

A 5.1% increase in fleet sales and a 24.3% jump in business sales of vehicles offset a 1.2% drop in private individual buyers last month.

The Ford Fiesta was the most popular vehicle followed by the Vauxhall Astra and Volkswagen Golf.

Alternative fuelled vehicles achieved a record market share of 3.6% with sales up 25.1% to 6,663 units in November. Petrol run vehicle sales rose 7.9% to 88,541 units with 48.1% market share while diesel car sales dropped 2.9% to 88,897 but held 48.3% market share.

Low interest rates and cheap finance packages have offset worries about Brexit in the industry.

Sales fell for the second time in more than four years in June ahead of the EU referendum, before recovering gradually.