The number of new cars sold in Scotland has hit a five-year high despite the struggling economy.
Some 181,785 cars were registered in 2012, beating 2011's haul by 9% and reaching a total not seen since 2007.
The Vauxhall Corsa was Scotland's top selling new car in 2012, followed by the Ford Fiesta, Vauxhall Astra and Ford Focus.
The figures, compiled by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, come in stark contrast to a struggling European car market.
A host of reasons may lie behind Scotland's relative automotive success, according to industry experts.
Some credited the country's protection from the worst effects of the eurozone crisis as a key factor, while others said savvy drivers are increasingly trading in old cars for more cost-efficient new models.
Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA), said drivers in the UK have "always placed more importance on their car" than Europeans. This means they may be more willing to trade up to a new model than their continental counterparts.
He said: "It is the British attitude to a car. In Britain, the second most important purchase after your house is your car. It is not necessarily the same in Europe."
Last year 2.04 million new cars were registered in the UK, up 5.3% on 2011. Europe by contrast experienced an average decline in new registrations of 1%-2%, according to Mr Robertson.
Yesterday's figures also included a regional breakdown of new car sales. Strathclyde had the biggest jump in Scotland, with 12% more cars registered last year than 2011. Dumfries and Galloway saw just a 1% rise, the smallest in the country.
John McGuire, founder and managing director of Scottish car dealership Phoenix, said 2012 had been a great year for the Scottish car market.
According to Mr McGuire private customers rather than businesses have been pushing new car sales in the past 12 month. He said Scots' pride in their wheels formed part of that.
He said: "All you have to do is fly to Paris and every car has got a bash in it. Whereas, thankfully, the first thing someone does if they have a bump in their car is come straight to my body shop and get it fixed.
"We do take great pride in cars in the same way as I suppose many years ago we took great pride in our horses and carriages. It is just something inbuilt in us."
However, while the annual figures were promising the number of sales in Scotland during December was disappointing as registrations fell by just over two per cent, compared to the same month in 2011.
Mr Robertson added: "We look forward to the market remaining settled in 2013 with hope, perhaps, of a small percentage rise in volume in the second half of the year."
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