UK new car sales reach record high in 2015, SMMT reveals

UK new car sales rose to a record high last year, a report on Wednesday showed.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 2.63m new vehicles were registered in 2015, a 6% increase on 2014 and the fourth consecutive year of growth.

The last record was set in 2003 when 2.58m new cars were sold.

All sectors achieved growth, with UK fleets boosting demand by 11.8% to reach an all time high of 1.3m units. The private sector grew 2.5%.

Petrol and diesel registrations increased 8.4% and 3% respectively, while alternatively fuelled vehicle demand jumped 40.3% and electric vehicles surged 50%.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said the record results in 2015 were driven by strong consumer and business confidence.

"Buyers took advantage of attractive finance deals and low inflation to secure some of the most innovative, high tech and fuel efficient vehicles ever produced," he said.

"The past four years have seen a remarkable period of sustained growth, and the outlook remains positive with every reason to expect the market to hold broadly steady in 2016.”