According to UK automotive industry body, SMMT, a total of 183,125 new cars were sold on this market last month and when compared to 195,226 in the same period last year that equates to a fall of 6.20 percent. “June new car registrations continued to perform in line with industry expectations with robust demand in the fleet sector and a relatively weak retail market. The balance of demand makes this a tough time for vehicle manufacturers and their dealer networks,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “Slow, but steady economic growth in the second half of the year should see volumes increase, although the overall market is still expected to be around 1.93 million units.” New car registrations have fallen in each of the past 12 months.

Fiat Automobiles' sales continue to decline across Europe as the year progresses and the story is just the same in the UK where 4,741 units last month, compared to 5,326 during the same period last year, adds up to a fall of 10.98 percent. As a result Fiat's UK market share for the month of June declines from 2.73 percent (2010) to 2.59 percent (2011) year-on-year.

The picture is very different at Alfa Romeo however where the Giulietta continues to drive sales and 988 units in June, compared to 741 during the same month a year ago, adds up to a rise of 33.33 percent. That saw the 'sports' brand's market share for the month of June rise from 0.38 percent in 2010 to 0.54 percent in 2011. Alfa Romeo was one of the best performers on the market for the month in year-on-year terms, other big winners for the month included Jeep (+158.70 percent), MG (+140.00 percent), Bentley (+34.52 percent), SEAT (+32.13) and Hyundai (+29.38 percent).

Of the niche brands, Abarth sold 104 cars in the UK last month, down 16 units on the same month last year to keep its market share for June unchanged on 0.06 percent while Maserati's 41 cars was down 11 units and 21.15 percent on the same period last year.

The two remaining Chrysler Group brands had a mixed month, Jeep's 138 units in June was up by 158.70 percent on the same period last year when it shifted just 92 of its off roaders - that made it the best performing brand on the UK market last month in year-on-year terms - while Chrysler's 59 registrations was down 35.16 percent on June 2010 when it sold 91 cars in the UK.

Fleet demand continues to grow, up 2.0 percent in June and by 3.4 percent over the first half of 2011. The pace of slowdown in the private sector has moderated, as the Scrappage Incentive Scheme’s impact has now all but passed. Registrations of diesel cars rose by 4.0 percent in June and are up by 7.5 percent over the first six months of 2011. Registrations of superminis led to an improved market share in June, up one percentage point to 36.7 percent. The introduction and adoption of low CO2 technologies has helped the UK new car fleet average CO2 figure drop to 138.9g/km in quarter two and 139.7g/km in the first half of the year, down from 144.2g/km in full year 2010 and 181.0g/km in 2000. The Ford Fiesta was the best selling model in June and for the year-to-date. The VW Golf was the best selling diesel model over the first six months of 2011, but was pushed into second place in June by the Vauxhall Insignia.

After the first six months of the year 1,029,638 new cars have been sold in the UK, almost eighty thousand units and 7.13 percent down on the same period last year. For the year-to-date Fiat Automobiles is on 23,126 registrations and compared to the first half of 2010 when it shifted 28,872 units that's a decline of more than one-fifth (-22.58 percent). Consequently Fiat's UK market share for the year-to-date slides from 2.69 percent (2010) to 2.25 percent (2011).

By contrast Alfa Romeo goes the other way, and 6,488 units for the year-to-date compared to 3,836 during the first six months of 2010 equates to a rise of 69.13 percent. As a result Alfa Romeo's UK market share for the year-to-date jumps from 0.35 percent (2010) to 0.63 percent (2011). Alfa Romeo is the second best performing brand on the UK market for the year-to-date in year-on-year terms, behind only Infiniti, which is up 195 percent but on the back of only 162 units.

Amongst the niche brands Abarth's 694 registrations for the year-to-date is down 39 units and 5.58 percent on the first six months of last year. The Scorpion's market share however remains unchanged on 0.07 percent for the year-to-date. Maserati meanwhile is on 213 registrations so far this year, down 24 units and 10.13 percent on the same period last year.

The surviving Chrysler Group brands in the UK are both down for the year-to-date: Jeep's 1,047 registrations is 81 units and 7.18 percent down year-on-year. However the new Grand Cherokee and facelifted Compass are now in the showrooms and this negative trend should soon reverse. Chrysler's 313 units for the year-to-date is just under five hundred units and 60.83 percent down on the same period last year; it launched the refreshed Grand Voyager (Town & Country) last week.