Widespread dealer reports of a recent 'cooling' in the marketplace for new cars are expected to be confirmed by the official October registration figures released by the SMMT. Provisional figures obtained by AM point to a 2.5 per cent downturn to 180,979 units compared to October 2001.

But the industry is still on target for a record 2.5m sales for the year as a whole: the year-to-date sales total is 4.5 per cent higher than 2001 at 2,244,215 units.

Renault delivered an incredible performance, retailing xxx units – up year-on-year by xx per cent - and provisionally taking a massive 10.78 per cent of the market compared to 7.49 per cent year-to-date. The company is benefiting from a growing model range and the impact of its Premier Centres which are driving more showroom traffic.

Vauxhall closed in on market leader Ford's 14 per cent share with 13.57 per cent as new Vectra sales begin to pick up.

The provisional figures do not include cars registered via the Vehicle Registration Offices' postal system.