Latest SMMT figures show that total new car registrations last month rose 3.0% to 68,736 units, marking 24 consecutive months of growth for the UK new car market, over which it increased 17.4%.

Last month also saw new car registrations in the fleet sector rise from 35,759 in February 2013 to 37,029 last month; a 3.6% rise. Meanwhile the sub-25 “business” sector saw growth of 6.2% from 1,713 units in February 2013 to 1,820 last month. Private registrations rose 2.1% to 37,029 units.

‘The 3% rise in February new car registrations marks two full years of continuous month-on-month growth; a real endorsement of consumer confidence and the attractiveness of the new car market,’ said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive. ‘While February is typically a quieter month ahead of the March registration plate change, we expect the arrival of the new 14-plate and increasing economic confidence to maintain a steady rate of growth.’

Year to date, the fleet sector is up 1.1% from 110,976 units to 112,238 whilst the sub-25 sector is up 7.5% from 9,078 units to 9,762. Overall the new car market is up 6.1% to 223,298 units.