SCOTTISH BESTSELLERS

A new year turnaround in car sales failed to materialise last month as a slump in fleet orders and dismal diesel figures dented progress.

Just over 163,600 cars were driven off UK forecourts in January, down by 6.3 per cent compared with the same month in 2017, according to trade body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The fall was less than the doubledigit declines recorded in the preceding three months. However, sales in Scotland were down by 15 per cent, yearon-year, last month.

Demand fell across the board during January, with UK registrations by business, private and fleet buyers down 29.7 per cent, 9.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent respectively.

Sales of new diesel cars reversed 25.6 per cent as “confusion” over government policy continued to cause buyers to hesitate, the SMMT added.

The new car market has been hit by the squeeze on spending power, more punitive vehicle excise duty rates and strong deals on nearly new vehicles.

Industry leaders branded the

0 Sales of alternatively fuelled vehicles were up by 23.9%, year-on-year continued slump in new diesel car registrations as “concerning”.

Mike Hawes, the SMMT’S chief executive, said the evidence indicated that consumers and businesses “are not switching into alternative technologies, but keeping their older cars running”.

He added: “Given fleet renewal is the fastest way to improve air quality and reduce CO2, we need governmentpolicytoencouragetakeup of the latest advanced low emission diesels as, for many drivers, they remain the right choice economically and environmentally.”

The latest figures show that registrations of petrol and alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVS) rose, up by 8.5 per cent and 23.9 per cent respectively.

The top three best-selling models in January were the Ford Fiesta, Volkswagen Golf and Ford Focus.

Justin Benson, head of automotive at KPMG, said: “Uncertainty over Brexit continues to affect consumer confidence and this is driving the decreasing