U.K. Car Sales Zoom to 66-Month High

Registrations of new cars in the U.K. soared 12% year on year to 403,100 units in September, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the strongest monthly total since March 2008.

Volume through the first nine months of 2013 rose nearly 11% to 1.79 million vehicles. Sales are evenly split between individuals and fleets, which together account for about 95% of the British market.

SMMT notes that private registrations are up 17% this year to levels not seen since 2007. The trade group attributes the sales surge to pent-up demand, sales incentives and the superior fuel economy of new models.

This year's five best-selling models all of them small sedans or coupes have been the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa and Astra and Volkswagen Golf.