Carmaker Group Boost U.K. Sales Outlook

Car registrations in the U.K. will grow 8% to 2.22 million vehicles this year, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders predicts. The group previously forecast a 3% gain.

SMMT says it hiked its full-year outlook because an improving economy and rising business and consumer confidence in July. U.K. sales have been bolstered this year by hefty discounts and 0% financing deals.

Last month the country's car deliveries jumped 13% year on year to 162,200 vehicles, SMMT says. Sales in the January-July period climbed 10% to 1.33 million units.

The U.K., which is western Europe's second-largest national market, has been the only bright spot in a region where demand is expected to slide to a 20-year low in 2013.