NEW car sales last month rose by 12.1 per cent compared to the same month last year, with the Ford Fiesta retaining its long held title as the UK’s most popular car.

October saw 151,252 new cars registered, bringing the year-to-date total to 1,771,861 - a 5 per cent increase on the same period last year, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed.

The Fiesta was the most-sold car last month, with achieving 8,056 sold, followed by the Vauxhall Corsa with 6,285, the Ford Focus with5,834, and Vauxhaul Astra at 5,754.

Although encouraging, the figures still fall short of pre-recession levels, but show the UK market is more robust than its continental European counterparts, where demand remains weak.

Smaller cars did well, with analysts interpreting the trend to be a result of higher fuel and road tax costs.

According to the figures, the mini segment of the market has grown 52 per cent over the year, while superminis have grown 5.8 per cent, with the two sectors now accounting for almost two-fifths of the market.

Drivers are also turning increasingly to alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), including electric and hybrid cars, which are free from road tax under a government incentive scheme.

The AFV segment has grown 13 per cent so far this year, although overall market share remains less than 1.5%. Deloitte’s David Raistrick said: “The UK continues to lead the way in European new car sales, with the main continent’s decline triggering unease in global automotive manufacturers.

“On the one hand, a number of major UK dealer groups have reported strong sales growth in 2012, but their counterparts in Europe are witnessing a decline. “This is particularly uncharacteristic in Germany, where a double digit contraction in September 2012 for new cars and a 2 per cent reduction overall for the year will instigate some very serious dialogue in the boardroom.”