New car sales still rising

New car sales rose by 11.5 per cent in April, marking a rise for the tenth month in a row, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The news that more car buyers were flocking to the showrooms is a positive one for car manufacturers, whose industry has been making significant profit despite the proximity to the end of the recession and end of the scrappage scheme.

Reports of the car industry returning to hefty profits has bolstered the fortunes of those selling a car, with Spring/Summer used car buyers in the market for a bargain.

British-manufactured cars performed well according to the SMMT report, growing by 25 per cent in April, compared to the same period last year.

With the political uncertainty surrounding the hung Parliament and the FTSE 100 opening with a slump, it's certainly important that the car industry is receiving a boost.

Chief executive of the SMMT, Paul Everitt, commented on the rise in The Times, saying: ''As our new government establishes itself, the priority must be sustaining and strengthening the economic recovery with particular focus on encouraging the availability of more and better-priced finance for businesses and consumers.''

Everitt concluded by saying: ''There are still difficult months ahead, but the strong start to 2010 has led SMMT to increase its annual forecast.''

 

 

Anthony Bowdidge, Wickford, Ford Focus

Mark Titcombe, Swindon, Subaru Impreza