Subcompact cars sell briskly in Britain

LONDON, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Subcompact car sales are soaring in Britain, with sales of cars such as Ford Fiestas up nearly 19 percent from a year ago, an industry trade group says.

Subcompacts account for nearly a third of the British market, with nearly 55,000 subcompacts -- or "superminis" -- registered in January, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says.

The auto trade group predicts subcompact sales will increase by more than 3 percent this year, mostly at the expense of sport utility vehicles, The Scotsman newspaper reports.

"Big cars are becoming socially stigmatized," correspondent Jim Dunn says. "Twenty years ago, the public reaction stigmatized drunken driving and you're seeing something similar with 4x4s."

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