• New car registrations fall 21.2% in September to 330,295 units.
• Year-to-date volume is down 7.5% to 1,794,419 units.
• Diesel market share increases to 42.8% in September, but volumes fell.
• SMMT urges government to take immediate action to restore consumer confidence.

"New car registrations have fallen for the fifth consecutive month and represent the most difficult economic conditions the industry has faced in 17 years," said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. "Government action is now needed to restore consumer confidence and boost demand in the real economy. The chancellor's pre-budget report should set out a package of measures to boost demand for new fuel-efficient cars and scrap plans for unfair increases in car tax."