March registrations down 1.6 per cent, but private buyers head back to showrooms

• March registration figures down 1.6 per cent to 435,847 units
• Private new car registrations in March at 222,542; an increase of 483
• Diesel volumes up 8.9 per cent to 156,932 in March

‘The lure of the new 06 registration plate and some excellent deals on the forecourts has seen new car buyers heading back to dealerships. The private market remains fiercely competitive despite the general slowdown in the economy’, commented Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. ‘However, a reasonable March cannot mask the poor start to the year, and 2006 will continue to be a challenge for the industry as we fight for every sale.’

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