Top 10 models – August 2006
Rank Model August 2006 August 2005 % var
1 Ford Focus 3722 4683 -20.5
2 Vauxhall Astra 2697 2991 -9.8
3 VW Golf 1833 1574 16.5
4 Vauxhall Zafira 1765 660 167.4
5 Ford Fiesta 1531 945 62.0
6 Vauxhall Corsa 1522 1801 -15.5
7 VW Passat 1477 1035 42.7
8 Ford Mondeo 1251 1419 -11.8
9 Vauxhall Vectra 1209 1430 -15.5
10 VW Touran 1124 330 240.6
Top 10 manufacturers – August 2006
Rank Manufacturer August 2006 August 2005 % var
1 Ford 8109 8353 -2.9
2 Vauxhall 7460 7372 1.2
3 VW 6005 4527 32.6
4 Renault 3496 3164 10.5
5 Peugeot 2076 2319 -10.5
6 Audi 1948 1895 2.8
7 Citroen 1736 1751 -0.9
8 BMW 1347 1784 -24.5
9 Toyota 1339 1651 -18.9
10 Honda 1184 1007 17.6

The slowest month for new car sales lived up to expectations, with just 41,514 new fleet models registered in August. That’s 4.0% down on the same month in 2005 and compares with an estimated 180,000 new car sales in September, the first month of the new ’56’ plate.

BMW was only one of the prestige brands suffering from a slow August

Prestige brands in particular were hit last month as badge-conscious buyers held off in wait for the latest number plate. Audi was the only major exception, continuing its seemingly unstoppable growth with a small A6-fuelled rise.

Renault beat Peugeot to fourth place last month, although it’s tight on the year-to-date figures, with the former 1250 units behind as they both close in on the 50,000 unit mark.