Car Sales Grow 3% in U.K.

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in Britain rose to 142,300 units last month from 137,700 units in April 2011, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports.

A 15% jump in purchases by consumers (to 61,800 units) more than offset declines in sales to business and fleet buyers, which fell 11% to 6,000 units and 3% to 74,500 units, respectively.

In the first four months of 2012, U.K. sales edged up 1% to 705,900 vehicles.

SMMT hiked its full-year sales outlook to 1.95 million vehicles, a modest increase from 1.94 million units in 2011. The group previously predicted demand would dip to 1.92 million vehicles this year.