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New car registrations were up 11.5 per cent in April compared with the same month last year. According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), this was the tenth consecutive monthly increase.

Despite the scrappage scheme coming to an end in March, cars bought under the scheme were still being registered in April and accounted for eight per cent of the 148,793 units registered in the UK last month.

The successful start to the year has led the SMMT to increase its 2010 annual new car registrations forecast to 1.924 million units, some 107,000 more than it had predicted in January.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said, "April was another good month for the UK motor industry with private buyers responding positively, despite the end of the scrappage scheme."

The SMMT attributed this boost to renewed market confidence and post-scrappage incentives, with many manufacturers announcing new deals to plug the gap.

Top ten best sellers
April 2010
1. Ford Fiesta: 6,808
2. Vauxhall Astra: 6,440
3. Ford Focus: 6,279
4. Vauxhall Corsa: 5,945
5. Volkswagen Golf: 5,828
6. Volkswagen Polo: 3,653
7. Audi A3: 3,400
8. Peugeot 207: 3,152
9. Mini: 2,869
10. BMW 3-Series: 2,802

Year-to-date
1. Ford Fiesta: 42,610
2. Ford Focus: 34,256
3. Vauxhall Astra: 29,365
4. Vauxhall Corsa: 29,212
5. Volkswagen Golf: 22,778
6. Volkswagen Polo: 18,840
7. Peugeot 207: 17,353
8. Renault Clio: 14,653
9. Mini: 13,896
10. Audi A3: 13,343

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