Ford has led the market in each of the twice-yearly number plate change months that dominate UK vehicle registrations.

The Focus remains the UK’s most popular car, while the recently launched Ford Mondeo already has almost 13,000 sales and a full order book.

This sales figure has been achieved, says Ford, thanks to retail and high value fleet business, rather than supplying the car to vehicle rental companies and other short-cycle businesses.

Mondeo sales for September were 7,500, with retail sales to private buyers accounting for 35% of registrations.

Ford commercial vehicles are performing at their strongest since 2001.

In September this sales record was underlined with total commercial vehicle sales of more than 12,800, most of these accounted for by the Ford Transit.

Meanwhile, the sales figures also reveal a growth in demand for so-called eco-cars.

Year-to-date registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles have jumped by 82.1% in 2007.

“September has traditionally been the strongest month for registrations after March – and this year it has exceeded expectations with 419,290 new cars motoring out of showrooms,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive.

“With climate change issues at the forefront of everyone's agenda, it is encouraging to note the rise in uptake of low-carbon vehicles.”