There were 189,514 new car registrations in the UK in June, an increase of 3.49 per cent compared to 183,125 for the same period last year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

New car registrations increased by 2.72 per cent on the year to 1,057,680 units (2011: 1,029,638 units).

Carbon dioxide emissions fell to 134.1g/km over the first half of 2012, a year-on-year decrease of 4 per cent and 2.9 per cent compared with 2011’s full year figure of 138.1g/km.

Alternatively fuelled car registrations grew by 47.8 per cent in June, while diesel volumes also rose. Also, new models helped Mini segment registrations rise 82.5 per cent in June.

Private volumes rose 8.7 per cent over the first half of the year and 9.8 per cent in June. Fleet volumes are on par with last year, while business demand has fallen.

Ford Fiesta was the best-selling model during June and year to date, with unit sales of 9,063 and 59,570, respectively.

Paul Everitt, chief executive of SMMT, said:

Driven by demand from private buyers, June new car registrations grew 3.5 per cent to push 2012 half-year volumes through the one million mark. Despite domestic and international economic concerns, UK motorists are responding positively to new products and the latest fuel-efficient technology. The industry has performed better than expected in the first half of the year and we will now need to work hard to sustain growth.

Truck registrations grew by 14.7 per cent to 3,577 units in June, while van registrations declined by 2.5 per cent to 22,287 units.

Everitt added:

The commercial vehicle market stabilised in June, down just 0.4 per cent, after a challenging and contrasting first half to 2012. Truck volumes remained strong, up 14.7 per cent in the month while van numbers dipped 2.5 per cent. The trend for the commercial vehicle market is generally stable, but it is far from settled and is likely to follow the course of the UK and European economy in the second half of the year.