UK car sales plummet in March

With the global economic crisis hammering the auto sector worldwide, the UK car sales again plummeted in March, a period when car sales register large volumes, thereby increasing pressure on the UK government to do more in order to boost the confidence of the auto industry.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), releasing new car sales figures for March, said that in the 11th consecutive month of falls, new cars registered last month was down 30.5 per cent from last year.

Since March typically accounts for 17.9 per cent of new car sales and is the key month since vehicles carrying the new-year's "09" plate registration first go on sale. Car manufacturers hope that there will be a surge in sales with buyers rushing to snap up cars with the new ''09'' plate.

"March new car registrations are a barometer of confidence in the economy, from businesses and consumers alike," SMMT chief Paul Everitt said in a statement.
"The fall in the market shows that the government needs to do more to boost confidence'', he added.

With the month of March having been the largest volume month in six of the past 10 years, 314,000 new cars were sold last month compared with 451,642 in March 2008.

The Ford Fiesta was the top-selling car in March at 20,654 units while the Vauxhall Corsa at 14,993 units, was second.