By comparison Volkswagen suffered a 12.2% fall to 6,609 registrations, 919 fewer than February 2012. 

Nissan continues to improve, up 18.3% to 3,796 units, as has Peugeot, whose registrations were 16.7% ahead of February 2012 at 3,689.

Citroën is growing, but continues to be outpaced by Hyundai, which knocked the French brand out of the UK’s top 10 car brands in 2012, with the Korean’s February volume of 2,966 units (a 49.8% rise) pipping Citroën’s 2,822 units (10.7% growth).

The prestige brands
Mercedes-Benz continues to be aggressive and won top spot in this segment in February, with a 13.9% gain year-on-year to 3,382 registrations, an increase of 413 cars.

Marcus Breitschwerdt, president and CEO of Mercedes-Benz UK said:  “Now we’ll be devoting even more energy to achieving it again, as this is a result we’ll be aiming to repeat as the year goes on.

“With exciting new models, including the CLA and new E-Class on the verge of arriving in the UK, we are in a fantastic position for the future.”

Audi and BMW both suffered at its expense, with a 25.6% fall to 2,962 for the four rings, a loss of 1,021 cars, and 0.8% improvement – 28 extra registrations – to a 3,276 February total for the blue propeller.

Land Rover’s registrations were 33.6% ahead at 1,106, and Jaguar also posted a 34.3% improvement to 266 registrations.

Lexus registrations took a knock, falling 15.9% to 174 units while Infiniti had its worst month since launching in the UK in 2009, with zero new cars registered in February.  

An Infiniti spokesman told AM it was an administration issue and in fact eight cars were sold that month, but these will now be included in the March registration data.

Even Porsche saw its February volume slide 25.2% to 119 cars a year on from its introduction of the latest 911.

The budget brands

Dacia racked up 33 registrations, a significant slowdown from January’s 294 units as the brand launched and dealers got their demonstrators, however as a predominantly retail brand its February sales will have been particularly impacted by customers’ anticipation of the 13-plate.

Other established brands at this end of the market struggled in February. Proton registered just two new cars, 84.6% fewer than the 13 of February 2012, and MG’s nine cars was a 91.3% slump, which it put down to a significant fleet order this time last year. 

Chevrolet’s oft-stated ambitions for a 2% market share look set to continue to be a dream given its 47.6% year-on-year fall last month to 249 registrations.

Only Perodua held firm, its 20 registrations a 17.7% improvement.

Elsewhere, Suzuki doubled its February 2012 achievement to record 1,172 registrations.

Its spokesman said consumer awareness of Suzuki cars has improved following a new marketing campaign which includes TV exposure. 

In addition, it is continuing its 0% VAT promotion on several models until the end of March, and it also offers the Alto SZ from £5,999 to tempt bargain-hunters.

Kia’s rise continued, with a 21.3% increase year-on-year to 2,183 February registrations, while

Skoda’s improvement was a more modest 6.3% to 1,757 units as it awaits a 13-plate push with its replacement Octavia.

Mitsubishi also enjoyed a strong February as its new Outlander SUV joined its range, helping to boost registrations by 192% to 380 cars.