NEW car sales rose 11.7% last month as the recovery continued in the

motor industry.

Total sales in September were 136,100 compared with 121,823 in

September 1992, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders

announced.

It took sales for the year so far to 1,450,717, a rise of 11.8% on the

1992 figure.

The September result follows the upsurge in the new L-registration

month of August, when sales rose nearly 18%.

However, there was criticism from the trade that the figures were

distorted by a late registration surge by Ford to help it cling on to

its number one position in UK sales.

The National Franchised Dealers' Association said that although it

welcomed September's increase, the situation was ''badly and

unnecessarily influenced by forced and artificial registrations

stimulated by Ford''.