London: New car sales in Britain accelerated in March to a record high, industry data showed Wednesday, as motorists upgraded before a tax overhaul that is expected to ramp up prices.
Sales rallied 8.4 percent last month to 562,337 vehicles from a year earlier, industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said in a statement.
That was the largest monthly total ever recorded.
New vehicle excise duty (VED) rates came into force on April 1.
That means that all new cars -- except for those with zero emissions -- are now subject to an annual flat-rate charge.
Research from the RAC roadside breakdown service indicates that most drivers purchasing new cars will pay significantly more.
"These record figures are undoubtedly boosted by consumers reacting to new VED changes, pulling forward purchases into March, especially those ultra-low emission vehicles that will no longer benefit from a zero-rate fee," said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.
"This bumper performance probably means we will see a slowdown in April, exacerbated by the fact there are fewer selling days this year given Easter timing."
