UK car sales slip under 2.5m

Sales of new cars in the UK have dropped at their fastest rate for more than 11 years, it was reported today.

Statistics from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which were due to be published next week, are expected to show 2.43 million cars were sold in 2005, down 5% on 2004’s sales of 2.56 million, the Daily Telegraph said.