Car Sales Jump 15% in U.K.

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in the U.K. climbed to 163,400 units last month from 142,300 units in April 2012, the country's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports.

April marked the 14th straight month of year-on-year sales gains. Last month's total was the highest April volume since 2008.

The SMMT says demand is rising because of strong consumer confidence, attractive financing deals and high fuel prices that have prompted consumers to switch to more efficient vehicles.

The group adds that a flood of big insurance reimbursement checks to consumers also may be fueling sales. April deliveries to consumers surged 32% year on year to 81,800 vehicles.

Commercial vehicle demand in the U.K. last month jumped 31% to 24,400 units. Volume soared 43% to 20,800 units for vans and but fell 12% to 3,600 units for trucks.

Passenger vehicle registrations in the first four months of 2013 climbed 9% to 768,600 vehicles. Commercial vehicle deliveries advanced 12% to 103,300 units in the same period.

SMMT has boosted its full-year sales forecast for the U.K. by 49,000 units to 2.11 million passenger vehicles, which would be a 3% increase from 2012.