What this 12.1% rise means, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), is that 151,252 units were sold in October. This news couldn’t come at a better time for the UK, as European cars sales are experiencing a disappointing slump. The UK new car market has actually been increasing each month since February 2012.

We’re also seeing a change in consumer trends, as people continue to downsize. We’ve seen a 52% rise in demand for city cars, with the Hyundai i10 and Volkswagen’s Up! faring particularly well. Other segments are also feeling the love, with the sales of superminis rising by 5.8%.

The good old Ford Fiesta has won the popularity contest once again for the year so far, and this is before the eagerly awaited all-new model has even arrived in UK showrooms! In fact, superminis and city cars now account for an impressive 40% of all new UK car sales.

Sales of new diesel and petrol powered cars have risen, but hybrid and electric cars are worth watching, because the sales figures for these greener vehicles have also grown. These alternatively-fuelled vehicles have now become so popular that, sales are now up 13% in 2012. Whilst this is still a small percentage of the market, it’s a significant one. Industry experts are expecting to see government initiatives to make these vehicles even more compelling, and these initiatives could well involve changes in vehicle taxation.