Fiesta is 2013's best seller

THE FORD FIESTA has topped the new car sales chart for 2013 with 113,417 sold. It was closely followed by another Ford, this time the Focus that recorded 81,791 new owners during the 12 months of 2013.

Third place on the podium was taken by the Fiesta’s arch rival, the Vauxhall Corsa that racked up 77,861 sales during its final full year before it’s replaced with a new Corsa in 2014.

Vauxhall put in another strong showing to claim fourth spot with 62,835 sales of its Astra, while fifth place went to the Volkswagen Golf that garnered 60,431 sales.

Nissan’s Qashqai crossover performed well with 47,695 sales for sixth place and it too is due to be replaced early in 2014. Not far behind the Nissan is BMW’s prestige small car in the form of the 3 Series that notched up 40,065 new owners during 2013.

BMW recorded a further top 10 place with its 1 Series, on 39,204 sales, to take eighth place, while VW scored a double entry in the top 10 also with the Polo snatching ninth position and 39,202 sales.

Last but by no means least with sales of 36,303 cars during 2013 is the Peugeot 208.

Overall, new car sales in 2013 were up by 10% compared to 2012 in the UK and the trend towards smaller cars has continued throughout the year. The figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders suggests UK new car sales will top 2.2 million.

By Press Association reporters