UK new car sales +38.9 pct y/y in Dec – SMMT

New car sales in Britain rose an annual 38.9 percent in December, their sixth consecutive monthly rise, but full year registrations were at their the lowest level since 1995, the Society of Motor Manufacturers said on Thursday.

The industry body said 150,936 cars were sold last month, the third best December on record and the highest since 2005, helped by a government incentive scheme and buyers bringing forward purchases to avoid a rise in sales tax.

A fifth of sales were accounted for by the scrappage scheme.

Full year registrations fell 6.4 percent to 1,994,999 cars, SMMT said.

"Another tough year awaits the UK motor industry in 2010, with new car registrations expected to be below 2009 levels and only limited recovery in the van and heavy commercial vehicle markets," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.