Car Sales Climb 8% in U.K.

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in the U.K. rose to 162,300 units last month from 150,400 units in May 2011, the country's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says.

May marked the third consecutive month of year-on-year growth and the biggest percentage gain in almost two years. In the first five months of 2012, passenger vehicle volume in the U.K. has advanced 3% to 868,200 units.

Demand, which had been driven by fleet sales, is now being led by individual consumers, according to SMMT. It says such retail sales jumped 14% to 69,700 units in May as Britons gained confidence in the country's economy despite uncertainty in the eurozone.

Sales of trucks surged 32% to 4,000 units in May. Demand for vans increased 7% to 21,300 units.