4 May 2012 Last updated at 05:08 ET

New car sales rise 3.3% in April, SMMT says

The Ford Fiesta was the best-selling car in April with 8,780 sold

New car sales in the UK rose to 142,322 last month, up 3.3% from April 2011, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has said.

It was the largest percentage increase in sales so far this year.

The increase was down to a 14.8% rise in private sales, with fleet sales down 3.4% and business sales dropping 11.2%.

The SMMT has revised its forecast for 2012 sales up 0.4% to 1.95 million vehicles, which would take it above the level seen in 2011.

The best-selling car in the month was the Ford Fiesta again with 8,780 sold, and the Fiesta is also the best-selling car in the year to date.

"We are seeing a steady increase in consumer confidence with growth in private demand, boosted by the arrival of a raft of new products," said SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt.

"A strong April new car market has raised confidence across the UK motor industry."