Car Sales Steady in U.K.

Registrations of new cars in the U.K. totaled 59,400 units in August, up 87 vehicles from a year earlier, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

But that was enough to make August the sixth consecutive month of year-on-year gains, SMMT says. Sales in the January-August period grew 3% to 1.26 million vehicles.

Consumers continue to underpin the U.K. car market, the group notes. Purchases by individuals rose 12% to 27,600 vehicles last month. Registrations by fleets and businesses slid 9% to 30,200 units and 5% to 1,700 units, respectively.

Commercial vehicle sales in the country fell 10% in August to 11,700 units. Registrations were flat at 2,400 units for trucks but dropped 13% to 9,300 units for vans.