U.K. Car Sales Climb 8%

Registrations of new passenger vehicles in the U.K. rose to 359,600 units in September from 332,300 units a year earlier, according to the country's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

September marked the seventh straight month of year-on-year growth in the country's auto sales. SMMT says a "tentative" return of consumer confidence is allowing the U.K. to buck the broad downward trend in western Europe's auto demand.

The country's commercial vehicle registrations crept up 1% to 295,200 units last month.

Most major brands posted gains, including Ford (+9%), Volkswagen (+8%) and General Motors' Vauxhall (+4%). Also boosting sales were such luxury marques as BMW (+23%), Audi (+20%) and Mercedes-Benz (+9%). Volume plunged 36% at Renault and 21% at Volvo and dipped 3% at Mini.

In the first nine months of 2012, U.K. demand increased 4% to 1.62 million vehicles. SMMT predicts the country's auto sales will edge up nearly 2% this year to 1.97 million units.