CAR MANUFACTURERS across the board appear to have had a good start to the year with Audi, Peugeot, Ford and Chevrolet claiming to have had excellent sales in the first quarter.

Audi announced it sold 19,242 cars in March alone, with 31,232 sales in the first quarter of the year. As a result the German outfit believes it's on course for its seventh successive record year and even predicts it will be the most successful premium car manufacturer by 2015.

Peugeot has mimicked Audi's success with its small car range sales up 27 per cent compared to March 2006. The new 207 model was a particularly strong performer for the French manufacturer with 17,600 sold in the first quarter, 1,000 of which were new CC models.

Ford is pleased with its first quarter results, the best it's had since 1999.

Customers bought 107,250 Ford cars between January and March, with 66,700 sales taking place once the new 07 number plates were released.

Chevrolet has also had a triumphant first quarter selling 3,042 cars during March's new registrations.

Its best performers were the Matiz and Kalos supermini, which the company claims offers even more value for money with the introduction of an entry-level 1.2S five-door version for the 2007 model year.

Chevrolet expects its sales figures to grow further when it introduces the Captiva SUV to the UK in June.