Diesel popularity revs car sales

Sales of new cars rose 2.5% last year to 2.4 million vehicles, driven by the rising popularity of diesel models, said the industry’s main trade body.

Diesel cars, which are more economical, now total 40% of all UK car sales, up from 10% in 2000, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

Its latest report added that overall new car sales in the final quarter of 2007 were the strongest since 2004.