UK December 2012: Focus #1, BMW 1 Series up to record #5!

BMW 1 Series

* See the Top 10 best-selling models and Top 43 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

* See the Full Year 2012 post here *

Another very satisfying month for new car sales in the UK, bucking the gloomy European trend once again and up 4% year-on-year in December to 123,557 registrations. This brings the Full Year 2012 total to 2,044,609 units, the highest since 2008. December is always heavily influenced by fleet sales in the UK and this year is no exception, with the models ranking getting a bit of a shake. The Ford Focus manages to take the lead for the 2nd consecutive month, the third time this year and only the 5th time in the last 3.5 years after May 2010, January 2011, February and November 2012. It sells 5,265 units for a 4.3% share.

Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Astra is up 3 spots on November to land in an excellent 2nd place with 5,112 sales and 4.1%, its highest ranking in the UK in 2 years, since December 2010 when it ranked #1. The Ford Fiesta is kicked down to #3 at 4,977 units and 4%, its lowest ranking since February 2011 (#4). But the best performer this month is by far the BMW 1 Series. After beating its ranking record in October to reach #8 and staying there in November, it is up a further 3 ranks to bring this record to an outstanding #5 thanks to 3,196 sales and 2.6% share!

BMW is in great shape this month and places two models in the Top 6 (like Ford and Vauxhall!) for the first time ever in the UK: the 3 Series is back up one spot to #6, ranking within the 6 best-sellers in the country for the 5th time in 2012. The Mini is up 3 to #7, its highest position since last June. Brand-wise, Vauxhall takes the lead this month ahead of Ford while BMW is up 35% year-on-year to #3 and 10,175 units, passing Audi in the Full Year ranking in the process. Hyundai is up to #6 and Mini up to #10.

Full Year post: UK Full Year 2012: Nissan Qashqai hits highest ever ranking for a Japanese model

Previous month: UK November 2012: Ford Focus edges past Fiesta for pole position

One year ago: UK Full Year 2011: Ford Fiesta #1, VW Golf at highest ranking ever

Full December 2012 Top 10 models and Top 43 All-brands Ranking Tables below.