Falling demand for diesels sees November new car market down 11 per cent
The UK new car market declined for an eighth consecutive month in November, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 163,541 vehicles were registered, down -11.2 per cent year-on-year, driven by a significant fall in diesel demand.
Continue ReadingLCV registrations down 11 per cent in November
SMMT figures show that new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations experienced a double-digit decline in November. The market fell -11.1 per cent, with 26,486 new vans and pick-ups registered – the third consecutive monthly fall.
Continue ReadingOctober motorcycle sales down 13.6 per cent
According to figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association, registrations in October fell by -13.6 per cent compared to the same period last year and the year-to-date decline currently stands at -15.5 per cent. 7,406 bikes were registered in the month compared with 8,595 units in October 2016.
Continue ReadingOctober LCV sales down 7.4%
The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined in October, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 24,968 new LCVs joined British roads last month, a -7.4 per cent fall compared with the same month last year.
Continue ReadingNew car sales continue to slide in October
The UK new car market declined for a seventh consecutive month in October, with 158,192 new units registered, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand fell by -12.2 per cent in the month, as falling confidence among buyers continued to impact the market.
Continue ReadingUncertainty and weaker sterling behind LCV registration decline
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has commented that the lower number of light commercial vehicle registrations in September is indicative of “uncertainty” and higher retail prices of goods from the European Union as a result of a weaker pound.
Continue ReadingMichelin tops online brand prominence table
Michelin has taken first place in Tyres & Accessories annual online brand prominence table, conducted in association with analysts NetNames. Following the news that Michelin is the strong online brand in terms of social media equity both in the UK and globally, the French tyre maker is no doubt delight to continue its historically strong showing. However, for the second year in a row, Continental overtook Michelin in terms of brand sentiment. And when you consider that Continental is also Michelin’s main contender in terms of social media equity, it now appears that pole position in the online space is a two horse race between Michelin and Continental. That’s said, at the other end of the spectrum mid-range and economy brands have registered some significant increases in online brand prominence during the last 12 months.
Continue ReadingMotorcycle sales down again in August
Motorcycle registrations in August fell by –17.8 per cent compared to the same period last year, with the total number of bikes being sold down to 6,856 units. “Demand for motorcycles continued its downward trend in August – marking eight consecutive months of decline in the market”, said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA).
Continue ReadingSlower August for UK new car market – registrations drop 6.4 per cent
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported a fifth consecutive month of decline in the UK new car market. August registrations fell -6.4 per cent, following 2016’s record August. The SMMT remained sanguine about the decline, pointing out that, at 76,433 new cars registered, it is still the third-best August in 10 years. The year-to-date has remained broadly in line with full-year expectations, down 2.4 per cent, with 1,640,241 new cars joining British roads in the first eight months.
Continue ReadingLong-term trend shows winter tyres receding, all-season rising in UK
The viability of a sustained winter tyre market in the UK has long been categorised as doubtful, with sales rarely climbing to 2 per cent. Meanwhile recent improvements in tyre technology and the introduction of products looking to change their perception, led by the Michelin CrossClimate’s success in the fleet market, have seen all-season tyres become an increasingly attractive proposition.
Continue ReadingEurope will overtake the US in the electric and hybrid cars market, says MarketLine
The hybrid and electric cars market has seen strong growth globally as countries work to meet ambitious CO2 targets, rising at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.6 per cent. Scandinavian countries such as Sweden will enjoy exceptional growth forecast growth of 27.9 per cent between 2016 and 2021, according to research firm MarketLine.
Continue ReadingSlight recovery in June LCV market, but YTD still down
Light commercial vehicle registrations rose by 1.8 per cent in June to 37,349 units. Year to date, the market remains lower than last year by -3.7 per cent with a total of 184,926 units registered in the first six months of 2017, according to the latest SMMT figures.
Continue ReadingUK’s online automotive retail outstripping cosmetics and groceries
Automechanika Birmingham 2017 represented the perfect opportunity for the UK’s automotive aftermarket to gather as higher technology vehicles continue to push up turnover by 2.4 per cent in 2016. 800 such companies were present at the Birmingham NEC for this year’s show. The aftermarket accounted for £21.6 billion in turnover – a figure boosted by the presence of the more high tech vehicles on Britain’s road in addition to recent record months in new car registrations. Additionally the increasing demand for digital services has helped to boost the online side of the segment, and the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), which reported the latest figures, states that more car parts, accessories and services are bought online than cosmetics or groceries. Tyres, alongside lubricants and filters, are the most commonly replaced part, and help account for some of the growth in digital sales, though demand for digital devices, including telematics and tyre pressure sensors, has grown fastest. Overall, the SMMT states that the automotive sector makes a contribution to the UK economy of £12.5 billion.
Continue ReadingNFDA and ICDP publish ‘Life After Brexit’ discussion paper
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) and ICDP have published ‘Life after Brexit: challenges and opportunities for UK automotive retail’. The discussion paper analyses challenges, outlines priorities and investigates opportunities that are likely to appear for the retail auto industry as the post Brexit situation emerges.
Continue ReadingThe future’s bright for Poland’s electromobility market, says Frost & Sullivan
Poland’s electromobility market is ripe for growth. Favourable government initiatives such as the Electromobility Plan and Electromobility and Alternative Fuels Act are reshaping local mobility and igniting innovative clean technologies to achieve higher competitiveness and energy optimization. Growth will be augmented by consumer incentives and the simultaneous development of infrastructure, energy distribution, and product offerings. Players should look for opportunities in charging point infrastructure development, automotive supply chain transformation, and public transport modernisation to gain a competitive advantage.
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