UK new car sales hit all-time high in 2015: SMMT

[LONDON] British new car registrations hit an all-time high last year, an industry body said on Thursday, helped by rising consumer confidence, the strength of the pound and cheap car loans.

Full-year car sales rose 6.3 per cent to 2.63 million in 2015, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said, confirming what two sources told Reuters on Wednesday.

Volkswagen, which saw sales across several of its major brands fall in October and November in the aftermath of the diesel emissions cheating scandal, saw full-year sales of its VW-branded cars rise 4 per cent last year.

However, sales of its Skoda brand ended the year down 1 per cent and Seat finished 11 per cent lower after a nearly 50 per cent drop in sales in December.

REUTERS