Car registrations back on target for an all-time record

July registrations were on track for a new record as AM went to press, up 14.5 per cent and totalling 147,231 units with six sales days left, compared with 128,601 over the same monthly period in 2001. The result is in contrast to June, when sales stalled by 3.7 per cent year-on-year, ending 20 months of growth.

Retail buyers continued to drive the market as low interest rates, falling prices and special offers encourage them into showrooms. Renault, Audi and Daewoo look to be the month's winners. All were ahead of their year-to-date market share totals with Audi and Daewoo already beating their full-month figures from last year.

Audi stood at 4657 sales with six days left, taking a 3.16 per cent share of the market compared to 2.62 per cent year-to-June. Daewoo is improving sales since its acquisition by General Motors in May, registering 2282 for a 1.55 per cent stake and Renault is up by 1.5 per cent, retailing 13,422 for a 9.12 per cent share.