UK car sales fall 4.4pc in 2011 Fleet sales to businesses helped to prevent the overall market falling further. Sales rose 5pc to 1.02m, accounting for more than half the market. However, Mr Archer warned businesses are under increasing pressure to contain costs. Overall, the Ford Fiesta was the bestselling car of 2011, ahead of the Vauxhall Corsa, Vauxhall Astra, Ford Focus, and Volkswagen Golf. Premium car brands also enjoyed a positive year. Mini sales rose 14pc, Audi 14pc, Mercedes 9pc, BMW 7pc, Bentley 4pc, Volkswagen 3pc, and Land Rover 1pc "Weak economic growth will make trading conditions tough in 2012, but record numbers of new and updated models, significantly improved fuel efficiency and exciting new technologies will help to encourage consumers into showrooms," Mr Everitt said. Business and consumer confidence will be the key to a successful year, so it will be important that government delivers on its growth strategy and helps to resolve instability in the eurozone. Despite the decline in sales, car manfacturing in the UK is growing as companies export vehicles. David Raistrick, UK manufacturing leader at Deloitte, forecast that domestic car sales will slump further to 1.84m in 2012. "Despite putting on a brave face, the market is far from settled and various economic and environmental factors could severely impact organisations operating in this sector," he added.