Daihatsu sold 1,024 passenger cars in March, a record 60.8% rise compared with 637 sales over the same period last year.

Daihatsu’s year-to-date sales stand at 1,464 cars a 53.3% rise.

Paul Tunnicliffe, Daihatsu Vehicle Distributors, managing director, said: "Our last best March for car sales was in 1999 when we had eight model lines. Now, we are down to two vehicles, the latest Terios 4x4 and Sirion supermini.

"We are virtually out of Charade stock now and the new Copen 1.3 litre sports car, which is receiving rave reviews, is only just going out to its first customers so had little impact on March sales. With ever-rising motoring costs and greater emphasis on environmental issues, Daihatsu’s appeal as a value-for-money, fuel-efficient manufacturer is stronger than ever."

The Japanese compact manufacturer scored well in the Retail Motor Industry Federation’s latest Dealer Attitude Survey.

The survey findings showed Daihatsu management’s ‘open and honest approach’ is boosting network expansion – currently at 105 sales outlets and on target for 145 dealers.

Paul Hegarty, Daihatsu Vehicle Distributor’s operations director, said: “We want to recruit new customer-focused appointments in the right locations and generate new business in areas where good local dealers have been culled by manufacturers. By working together in partnership with our expanding dealer network we can both enjoy growth and profitability.”