Focus on market

The UK new car market remained steady in September, rising 1.6 per cent, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

In total 469,696 cars were registered, as buyers purchased the new 66-plate.

The performance marks the highest figures for September on record, while the total number of cars registered so far this year also grew to 2,150,495 units – up 2.6 per cent compared with the same period last year.

It is only the second time that the two million mark has been passed in September since 2004.

Biggest seller was the Ford Focus with 19,769 sales.