UK September 2013: BMW 1 Series hits record in euphoric market

BMW 1 Series

* See the Top 10 best-selling models and Top 45 All-brands by clicking on the title! *

The great health of the UK new car market is starting to look a little indecent compared to the hell Continental Europe is going through at the moment: 19th consecutive month of year-on-year increase at +12% to 403,136 registrations, the highest monthly volume in the country since March 2008 (66 months). Even better: private sales are up a huge 18% year-on-year… March and September are new license plate months and traditionally by far the strongest of the year. Below the Ford Fiesta at 5.1%, the Vauxhall Corsa is up 3 spots on August to #2 and 3.6% share, still below its year-to-date level.

BMW 3 Series

The big news this month is the outstanding result of BMW: the 1 Series smashes its monthly volume record at 10,084 sales and 2.5% share, up 44% on its previous best of 7,001 reached last March. It ranks 6th for the 2nd month running and the third time ever, its best ranking in the UK. It is the strongest volume hit by a BMW since the 10,317 the 3 Series sold back in March 2008. Talking about the 3 Series, it is up one spot on August to #7 and 8,309 sales, its best volume in over 5 years, since that March 2008 mentioned above. All this means both BMWs climb up one spot in the year-to-date ranking to #8 and #7 respectively.

UK Skoda sales are up 39% year-on-year in September.

Finally, notice also the Fiat 500 back inside the Top 10 for the third time in the last 6 months at #10. In the brands ranking, all premium German brands are going gangbusters: BMW is up 22% to #4, Audi up 16% to #5 and Mercedes up 28% to #6! Fiat is up 29% to #11, Skoda up a huge 39% to #16, Renault finally up 26% to #18 after years of decline, Mazda up 45% to #20, Lexus up 31% to #26 and Mitsubishi up 87% to #27. Dacia consolidates its place within the Top 25 brands in the country at #24 with 2,759 sales, the brand’s strongest monthly result so far.

Previous month: UK August 2013: BMW 1 Series #6, Vauxhall Insignia back in Top 10

One year ago: UK September 2012: Mercedes C-Class at #6, Peugeot 208 in Top 10

Full September 2013 Top 10 models and Top 45 All-brands Ranking tables below.