NISSAN has started January exactly the way it means to go on with two of its models recording strong sales.
The British-built duo Qashqai and Juke both finished the month in a positive way by securing two strong spots in the SMMT’s January best-sellers list.
Nissan dealers registered an impressive 4,280 Qashqais in January – a feat that secured the Sunderland-built SUV fifth place in the standings ahead on cars like the Volkswagen Golf, Peugeot 208 and the VW Polo.
Meanwhile its funky crossover cousin, the Juke, netted 2,522 registered cars in January. A stellar month for the Juke meant it holds ninth place in the standings ahead of the premium Mercedes-Benz C-Class.
Overall, January saw new car registrations rise 11.5 per cent, with the SMMT declaring the month to be a ‘positive start to 2013’.
The strong results have led to the SMMT revising its 2013 forecast, up 0.6 per cent to just over two million units.
‘The new car market has started the year confidently with registrations climbing 11.5 per cent in January,’ said Mike Baunton, interim chief executive, SMMT.
‘Lifted by a solid rise in private demand, the new car market posted its 11th successive month of growth with motorists attracted to forecourts by the latest models and competitive deals on offer.
‘Building on a strong performance in 2012, SMMT has increased its market forecast – we anticipate a modest rise over the year, followed by further growth in 2014.’