For the first time in its history, Honda UK has topped 90,000 car sales and breached a 3.5% market share last year.

The record results pre-empt celebrations for the marque’s 40th anniversary and coincides with record car production at the firm’s Swindon car plant.

The Jazz model, with sales up more than one third on last year is now the UK’s second best selling 5-door supermini among private buyers, and took more than one quarter of Honda’s UK car sales.

The Civic remains the company’s strongest selling range of cars, virtually replicating last year’s 35,000 total, but with sales of the 4 door IMA rising by a quarter.

Accord sales have increased by more than 50% following the introduction of the 2.2 i-CTDi diesel models.

CR-V numbers declined slightly, but stronger sales are expected in 2005 following the launch of the revised model with diesel option.

This year’s output of 193,000 cars at Honda’s Swindon plant represents an increase of around 4.5% on last year with a more equal split between Civic and CR-V models – mainly in response to increasing demand for Civics in mainland Europe.