Vauxhall has overtaken its main rival Ford to become the best selling automotive brand in the UK, taking 15% of UK car registrations last month.

"This proves we’re one step ahead of the competition," says Kevin Wale, Vauxhall Motors’ chairman and managing director.

Along with strong demand for the new Astra, for which there are already 28,000 sold orders in the UK, the Corsa grabbed the top spot for supermini sales and Britain’s favourite MPV, the Zafira, maintained its number one position again.

In total 13,328 new Griffin-branded cars hit the road last month, compared to the 10,203 Fords.