The share of newly registered passenger cars in the UK which feature the ESP active safety system has increased by 3% to 59% in the first six months of 2009.

The increase was largely driven by the small car sector where 23% of new cars had ESP on board as standard or optional equipment.

However, the share of newly registered passenger cars featuring ESP in Germany has fallen for the first time to 78% in the first six months of 2009 – a drop of 3%.

The main reason for this is the substantial rise in sales of small vehicles featuring few extras.

But Bosch is optimistic that this will improve in the next few months with several manufacturers making ESP standard in new models for the first time.

Moreover, an EU regulation passed in 2009, which will take effect from November 2011, stipulates that all new passenger-car and commercial-vehicle models must be equipped with this active safety system. And this will apply to all new vehicles from November 2014.

Edmund King, president of the AA, said: “Particularly in winter it is essential to avoid crashes by skidding and ESP vehicle active safety technology is a proven life saver in these conditions. We urge new car buyers to choose cars fitted with electronic stability control either as standard or as an option before other extras such as alloy wheels or iPod connections are considered.”