Increase in demand for diesel cars

Published Date: 7th Apr 2006

Demand for diesel cars in Britain is rising, with registration volumes rising in March for the first time this year, new data reveals.

British drivers are increasingly turning to diesel vehicles, as they often provide lower emissions and better fuel efficiency than similar petrol models, and soaring fuel prices and environmental concerns are affecting consumer decisions.

Registrations of new cars in the UK fell by 1.6 per cent to 435,847 units over the year to March 2006, despite the latest six-monthly registration change, according to the figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

New Diesel Car Savings

However, registrations for the month picked up by 6.9 per cent to 58,732 and volumes over the year to date are two per cent over the same period of 2005. The best-selling model in March and the first quarter of 2006 was the Ford Focus.

SMMT chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said: "'March's figures meant that total volumes in 2006 have now beaten last year's record. With many important new models due for launch at the CV show later this month, and big changes to the operating environment imminent, we expect that April figures will be good too."

The SMMT attributed the year-on-year fall in car registrations to a more subdued economic climate, with many Britons curbing spending in the face of high levels of personal debt.