Choice in Britain’s new car market has grown 44% faster than last year, according to the industry information source CAP New Vehicle Data.

The van market too is growing swiftly with a 20% increase in models and derivatives available during the first ten months of 2004 compared with the same period last year.

The CAP NVD database now contains full details of 6,223 cars available today – a figure that includes 2,586 added this year alone.

For example, between January and October last year 1,791 cars were added. During the same period this year the total was 2,586 new car models and derivatives.

That represents 44% faster growth in the range of choices available to new car buyers than was recorded in 2003.

Meanwhile, choice in the van market has also seen higher growth this year compared with 2003. During the first ten months of last year 611 new variants were introduced. This year the figure has risen by 735 – a 20% increase, bringing the total number of light commercial vehicles represented in the CAP NVD database to 2,676.

"These figures show just how dynamic and responsive to customer demands for choice the new vehicle market has become," said NVD manager, Helen Butterworth.

"The challenge of keeping abreast of what the market has to offer represents an enormous task for anyone whose business success relies on staying ahead of the game to satisfy increasingly well-informed customer demand."