British car sales at highest for a decade

New car sales in Britain rallied in March to the highest total for a decade, industry data showed on Friday. Sales jumped 17.7 percent last month to 464,824 vehicles compared with data for March 2013, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said in a statement. That was the highest monthly figure since March 2004. "New car registrations surged 17.7 percent in March ... a surprisingly strong level of growth and a reflection of intensifying consumer confidence and the availability of great new products," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, according to AFP.