New-car registrations in the UK rose more than 10% in the first half of this year. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders show that 1,287,265 new cars were registered in first six months of 2014 — an increase of 10.6% on the first six months of last year and the best half-year total since 2005. June saw new-car registrations rise 6.2% to 228,291 units, and the market is on track to reach 2.4 million registrations in 2014 — up more than 6% on last year.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “Improving economic conditions have helped propel the UK new-car market to a strong first half-year performance. Key to attracting consumers is the ever-improving efficiency of new cars — an important factor that is highlighted by a 51.3% increase in alternatively fuelled vehicle registrations so far this year. The overall market has risen faster than we were expecting.”

Jaguar saw its sales increase by almost 13.5% during the first half of the year, and by almost 34% in June. However, Land Rover sales were down 0.34% in the first half of the year, while BMW sales were up more than 15%, with Audi close behind at 13.55%. Mercedes Benz performed better than both, with a first-half rise of almost 17%.