Vauxhall showed the biggest leap in year-on-year retail sales last month, with 3701 more cars sold than in March 2011, according to analysis released by the Society of Manufacturers and Traders.

The figures lift Vauxhall’s retail share by 1.46 percentage points with cars like the recently launched Astra GTC dominating its class in the retail sector with 1,773 sales in March.

“The tide is turning for Vauxhall,” said Duncan Aldred, the company’s Chairman and Managing Director. “We’re no longer perceived by private buyers as a company that concentrates on fleet cars alone, and our 2012 retail figures are proof of this. We intend to capitalise on this success through the year, with upcoming cars like the Mokka SUV and Junior reinforcing our retail position still further.”

In addition to the Astra GTC, Vauxhall has already launched two new models in the last three months - the Zafira Tourer and Ampera – both of which are incremental to the company’s existing car ranges.