Twenty not out!

It’s a staggering success story.

October saw the 20th successful rise in new car registrations.
Fleet sales were up; business sales were up; private sales were up.

Car sales are always a sign of confidence – no more so than in the fleet and business sector.

And business is voting with its feet. Companies need new cars to fuel their expansion plans as the economy starts to move through the gears.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)/Grant Thornton UK Business Confidence Monitor (BCM) says that business confidence has risen to the highest point in the 10 years it has been running the survey.

The BCM report reckons that economic growth will continue to accelerate in the fourth quarter of this year reflected in a 1.3% rise in GDP.

More than that, it reckons that the UK is the fastest growing economy in the western hemisphere.

They are not a lone voice.

The CBI backs up this business optimism suggesting growth will be 1.4%, up from the 1.2% forecast in August followed by 2.4% growth rate in 2014.

Yes, of course, there will always be stories in the media that suggest otherwise. There’s nothing like a bit of doom and gloom for selling a newspaper, of course.

And while the personal and local fallout of the Portsmouth BAE shipbuilding closure should not be underestimated, neither should the political repercussions, it is a story that goes against the run of what is happening in the wider economy: and that’s growth.

Construction is improving, underwritten by taxpayer loans for help to buy home purchases and new buildings – little wonder that vans registrations rose over 26% in October, with year to date growth of 11%, to join the successful figures posted by cars.
And house prices are on the rise also, which always gives consumers renewed confidence.

And in terms of our business, we’re heading for a third success year of record performance.

So let’s throw off the gloom – and celebrate success. Because it’s happening. Whatever the newspaper headlines might have you believe.

Here’s the top 10 selling cars year to date

1. Ford Fiesta
2. Ford Focus
3. Vauxhall Corsa
4. Vauxhall Astra
5. Volkswagen Golf
6. Nissan Qashqai
7. BMW 3 Series
8. BMW 1 Series
9. Volkswagen Polo
10. Peugeot 208

Source: SMMT

Why not compare the UK’s top 10 with our top 10? Read our recent article: Kia is fastest growing brand in Fleet Alliance top ten