SEPTEMBER and its new number plate saw registrations rise for the 14th consecutive month.
UK registrations totalled 272,610 units, including 24,557 north of the border.
Conventional petrol models continued to be the most popular purchase, with 105,463 hitting the road last month.
Compared with the previous September, registrations of electric vehicles (EVs) rose 18.9 per cent to 45,323 units.
However, the increase was solely down to fleet purchases, prompting the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) to repeat its plea for incentives to attract private buyers.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “A bumper September means the new car market remains strong despite economic challenges.
“However, with tougher EV targets for manufacturers coming into force next year, we need to accelerate the transition, encouraging all motorists to make the switch.
“This means adding carrots to the stick – creating private purchase incentives aligned with business benefits, equalling on-street charging VAT with off-street domestic rates and mandating chargepoint rollout in line with how electric vehicle sales are now to be dictated.”
UK top 10 in September: 1, Nissan Qashqai, 8,565; 2, Ford Puma, 8,087; 3, Kia Sportage, 5,739; 4, Ford Kuga, 4,638; 5, MG ZS, 4,613; 6, Hyundai Tucson, 4,546; 7, Vauxhall Corsa, 4,485; 8, Volkswagen Polo, 4,427; 9, Nissan Juke, 4,411; 10, MG HS, 4,030.
Scottish top 10 in September: 1, Corsa, 1,073; 2, Renault Clio, 751; 3, Qashqai, 701; 4, MG ZS, 633; 5, Peugeot 208, 617; 6, Puma, 546; 7, Vauxhall Mokka, 507; 8, Tucson, 431; 9, Volkswagen Golf, 428; 10, Juke, 419.
Figures from SMMT.
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