Britain car sales rise 5.9% in March

LONDON - Britain's car market continued the strong momentum in March with the new car registrations surging 5.9 percent to 394,806 units, according figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, or SMMT.

March marked the 13th consecutive month of growth in new car registrations, with volumes the highest since 2010 when the Scrappage Incentive Scheme supported the market, said the SMMT.

The March figure adds the total volume of the new car registrations in the first quarter of this year to 605,198 units, jumping 7.4 percent year-on-year.

SMMT attributed the growth to strong rises in sales of private, petrol and mini cars in the period.

"The better than expected outturn in the first quarter should support net growth in the market in 2013." It said that it would review its full year forecast later in March.

"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," aid Mike Baunton, SMMT Interim Chief Executive.

According to the SMMT figures, the US Ford Fiesta maintained its position as the best seller in Britain in both March and the first quarter. Fiesta car sales reached 34,309 in the first quarter, including 22,748 units were sold in March.