UK August 2014: 30th consecutive month of year-on-year gains

The Ford Fiesta is up 42% year-on-year in August.

* See the Top 10 best-selling models and Top 40 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

August 2014 marks the 30th consecutive month of year-on-year gain for the UK new car market – not a single month in negative since March 2012 – with sales up 9% to 72,163 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,532,335 registrations, up 10% on 2013. This continued great health has a lot to do with improved consumer confidence as private sales have lifted the entire market up: from 840,000 units in the year before March 2012 to 1.15 million in the past 12 months – a 37% increase.

Renault’s recovery in the UK continues: +72% this month.

Unusual for a slow month as volatility should be the rule, the Top 5 best-selling models are identical to the year-to-date ranking with the Ford Fiesta taking the highest honours thanks to sales up a mammoth 42% on August 2013, followed by the Ford Focus (+23%), Vauxhall Corsa (+13%), VW Golf (+6%) and Vauxhall Astra (-16%). The Audi A3 advances to 6th place, the Fiat 500 remains #8 and the Vauxhall Insignia reappears inside the Top 10 at #9.

MG is up 485% in August, however to just 72 sales.

Brand-wise, boosted by the great performances of its best-sellers Fiesta and Focus, leader Ford is up a very impressive 26% year-on-year to 15.6% share, a full two percentage points above its year-to-date level, Audi is up 32% in 4th place to be contrasted with BMW down 19% at #5 and Mercedes up an honest 13% at #6. Skoda shines at +39% just outside the Top 10 and overtakes Kia year-to-date to now rank #12, Renault is up a spectacular 72%, Volvo up 29%, Mitsubishi up 164%, Jeep up 329%, MG up 485% and Maserati up 124%. Finally, notice Chevrolet selling not a single car this month.

Previous month: UK July 2014: Nissan Qashqai hits best-ever #5, Mini back in Top 10

One year ago: UK August 2013: BMW 1 Series #6, Vauxhall Insignia back in Top 10

Full August 2014 Top 10 models and Top 40 All-brands Ranking Tables below.