New car sales shot up by 16.1% in April over the same month last year, and broke all records for April sales, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders announced today.

There were 208,976 new models sold in April 2002 - beating the previous highest April total of 191,276 reached in 1989.

The results took the figure for the first four months of this year to 931,694, or 9% higher than the January-April 2001 total.

April 2002 was the 19th month in succession in which sales have risen.

"Although the current rate of growth cannot last forever, with such a strong start, 2002 looks set to be one of the best-performing on record," said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan.

He added that the UK was the only country among the "big five" European markets which has seen growth in 2002, with sales down in Germany, Italy, France and Spain.

Private registrations in the UK rose by 24% last month. There was also evidence that Gordon Brown's tax incentives for diesel-powered cars were having the desired effect as sales of these rose by 60.5%.

The top 10 selling models in April 2002
Ford Focus
Ford Fiesta
Vauxhall Corsa
Vauxhall Astra
Renault Clio
Peugeot 206
Volkswagen Golf
Ford Mondeo
Volkswagen Polo
Renault Megane.