Scots new car sales rise 07 | 05 | 2014
NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS in Scotland in April increased by 3.4% over the corresponding month in 2013: this year's total was 15,892 compared to 15,369.
The modest, but positive growth trailed behind the UK average, which saw an improvement of 8.24% compared to April '13 (176,820 units compared to 163,357).
In the opening four months of 2014, new car registrations in Scotland have risen 10.19% compared to the same period last year: the UK improvement is 12.54%.
“We're pleased the April figures show a further increase after the record new plate month of March," Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association, said.
"Although the increase is much more modest, it does show that consumer confidence remains and we do anticipate that 2014 will at the end of the year show an increase over last year of around 5%.
"Our members' showrooms continue to report increased footfall as consumers become more aware of the fuel efficiency of new cars and the consequent reduction in running costs.”
The Ford Fiesta was the biggest single-seller in Scotland in April with 885 sales, followed by the Vauxhall Mokka (552) and Vauhall Corsa (548).
In the opening four months, the Fiesta remains the top-selling model, with 4237 sold in 2014 compared to 3821 over the same period 12 months ago.
Related: Surge in Scots new car sales
The Ford is followed by the Corsa (3743), Ford Focus (2535), Renault Clio (2270) and Vauxhall Astra (2076). The top 10 is rounded off by the Fiat 500 (1898), VW Polo (1780), Nissan Qashqai (1715), VW Golf (1698) and Mokka (1521).
Vauxhall remains the top-selling manufacturer over the opening four months of 2014 compared to last year, with 10,120 sales (9882 in '13).
Ford lies second with (9667), followed by VW (6173), Audi (4324), Nissan (4205), Renault (3894), BMW (3388), Peugeot (3366), Kia (2973) and Mercedes (2685) rounding off the top 10.
Strathclyde dealers sold the sold the most cars in April, up from 7353 in 2013 to 7733 this year, an increase of 5.17%. The largest increase though was in Tayside, which saw a 15.43% improvement from 1231 to 1421 this April.
Not surprisingly, Strathclyde dealers have sold the most cars in Scotland so far this year, showing a 7.53% increase from 35,409 in 2013 to 38,074. The Borders though has shown the largest increase, up by 18% from 939 to 1108.
While the top 10 manufacturers have so far sold 50,795 cars in Scotland, accounting for a 65.71% share of the 77,299 total, spare a thought for some not so happy dealers.
So far this year, only five MG models have been registered in Scotland, 14 Infiniti, 29 Ssangyong, and 127 Chrysler.
But top-end luxury dealers are enjoying success. So far in 2014, three Lamborghini, eight Aston Martin, 15 Ferrari, 20 Maserati, 25 Bentley, 225 Porsche and one Rolls-Royce have been sold in Scotland.
Related: Peoples Ford sales rise 22%
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Jim McGill