LONDON (dpa-AFX) - New car registrations in the U.K. declined 4.4 percent in 2011 from the previous year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said Friday.
The number of units sold last year totaled 1.94 million, higher than 1.92 million forecast by the industry group.
Registrations in December fell 3.7 percent year-on-year to 119,188 units, marking the tenth monthly decline in the year. However, the sales volume was again ahead of SMMT's forecast. Sales were down 1.8 percent in the fourth quarter.
'Weak economic growth will make trading conditions tough in 2012, but record numbers of new and updated models, significantly improved fuel efficiency and exciting new technologies will help to encourage consumers into showrooms,' SMMT Chief Executive Paul Everitt said.
The market is forecast to be broadly stable in 2012 and a firmer recovery is expected in 2013.
Registrations in 2011 were supported by fleet sales, with the private market recording a drop in volumes. Diesel and alternatively-fuelled cars both took record shares of the market in 2011, with diesel volumes surpassing petrol volumes for the first time, the report said.
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