Five-year high for Scots car sales 07 | 01 | 2013

SCOTTISH NEW CAR registrations rose sharply last year to their highest level since 2007. Figures released today by the Scottish Motor Trade Association show 181,785 new cars left Scottish showrooms in 2012, an increase of 9% over 2011.

The rise in Scotland — where the Vauxhall Corsa was the best-selling model throughout the year — was higher than the UK as a whole, which recorded a 5.3% increase to reach 2.04 million.

Disappointingly though, the year ended on a negative point with December sales falling by just over 2%, compared to the same month in 2011.

That though wasn't enough to diminish the positive feelings of SMTA chief executive Douglas Robertson.

"The 12 months in 2012 saw the highest level of new car registrations in Scotland since 2007, with 181,785 models registered, an increase of 9% over 2011," he said.

"We look forward now to the market remaining settled in 2013 with hope, perhaps, of a small percentage rise in volume in the second half of the year."

Nissan unveils Qashqai 360

Vauxhall sold 11,745 Corsas in Scotland last year, to edge out the Ford Fiesta (10,226) and the Vauxhall Astra (7195) into second and third places respectively.

Once again, Vauxhall remained the best-selling manufacturer in Scotland, accounting for 26,597 sales, up from the 24,939 of 2011. However, Vauxhall's market share in Scotland fell from 14.94% in 2011 to 14.63% last year.

Ford took second place, with 22,623 (12.44%) units sold last year, followed by VW, Nissan and BMW.

Strathclyde saw a 12.26% increase in new car registrations through 2012, compared to the previous year, up from 82,314 to 92,404 last year.

There were also significant rises for the Borders (2808, up 8.42%), Tayside (12,823, up 7.99%), Grampian (18,630, up 7.87%) and Highlands (8691, up 7.31%). Lothian, with sales of 21,460, saw its growth limited to 2.8%.

'New beginning' for Mercedes C-Class

Keep up-to-date with all the latest news by following us on twitter.com/scotcars

Jim McGill