Record on the cards as sales hit a high

A RECORD new car sales year is on the cards for 1999 after the highest ever figures registered in July revealed burgeoning retail sales and steady fleet sales. Forecasters are revising their figures upwards to take account of the booming economy. The SMMT has increased its projection by 100,000 to 2.225million, Ford has gone slightly higher at 2.227million and Vauxhall believes 2.3million is not out of the question.

All commentators have highlighted the difficulty in reading this year's market, with sales outstripping forecasts and confounding projections. The SMMT's chief executive, Christopher Macgowan, said: 'The July market did exceed expectations, reflecting improving economic conditions and intense competition in the market place.'

Fleet sales are up 249.8% to 75,815 units compared to July 1998 with the retail sector 464.1% higher at 91,509. Ford dominated July's fleet market with the two best-selling company cars in the Focus and Mondeo and total fleet sales up 347.1% at 17,951. Top fleet models in July were: Ford Focus 5,657, Ford Mondeo 5,228, Vauxhall Vectra 4,583, Vauxhall Astra 4,067, Vauxhall Corsa 3,892, Ford Fiesta 3,106, Peugeot 406 2,707, Nissan Micra 2,293, Renault Megane 2,158, VW Golf 2,146.