February is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year for new car registrations in the UK, coming as it does ahead of the March number plate change. It was even quieter this year – data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that last month’s sales were 2.9 per cent below those recorded in February 2019, with just 79,594 new cars registered in the UK during the month.
As far as the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA) is concerned, we can count Brexit as occurring from the start of this year – the association has already removed the UK from its passenger car registration figures for January 2020. Registrations for the slimmed-down EU27 region fell 7.5 per cent year-on-year, to 956,779 units. Registrations fell by a similar level on our side of the channel, with figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showing a 7.3 per cent decline in January, to 149,279 units.
SMMT figures show that the UK new car market remained steady in August, with just 1,521 fewer cars registered than in the same month last year. Registrations fell by -1.6 per cent in what is typically one of the smallest months of the year, as falling demand for diesel and plug-in hybrid vehicles continued to impact the overall market.
Commenting on yesterday’s new car registration figures – which showed registrations of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) increasing 158 per cent year-on-year in July despite the wider downward trend – Deloitte opines that a ‘tipping point’ between combustion and electric vehicles will occur in the UK by 2021.
The UK new car market declined again in July, with 157,198 vehicles leaving showrooms, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Registrations fell by -4.1 per cent, the fifth consecutive month of decline, as political and economic uncertainty and confusion over future government policy on different fuel types continued to knock consumer and business confidence.
The UK new car market declined by -4.6 per cent in May with 183,724 units registered, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The fall reflects continued uncertainty over diesel and clean air zones as well as the removal of incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicles. Meanwhile, the underlying economic and political instability continues to affect consumer and business confidence.
The UK new car market declined by -4.1 per cent in April, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The month saw 161,064 units registered, the second lowest April volume since 2012 but following a double-digit increase the previous year.
As drivers take advantage of the latest low emission vehicle technology – whether petrol, diesel or alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFV) – average CO2 emissions for the UK motor parc have fallen to the lowest on record. According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), emissions are down -17.8 per cent compared with the 175.1g/km average CO2 emissions from the UK car fleet in 2008.
January’s production figures may have delivered good news to the commercial vehicle segment, but UK car manufacturers had nothing to celebrate. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reports that production in British car factories declined 18.2 per cent to 120,649 units in January 2019, marking the eighth successive month of decline. Both domestic and overseas demand decreased but it was the latter that fell most, with exports down -21.4 per cent to 93,781 units.
New passenger car registrations declined by -1.6 per cent in January with 161,013 units registered. Sales of petrol cars rose by 7.3 per cent, diesel declined -20.3 per cent and alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) grew by 26.3 per cent. Private demand increased by 2.9 per cent, while fleet was down -3.4 per cent.
UK electric car registrations continue to set records, as latest figures place the total number of new 100 per cent electric and plug-in hybrid cars registered last year at 59,911, making it the most successful year for electric cars to date.
The UK new car market declined by -6.8 per cent in 2018, with annual registrations falling for a second year to 2,367,147 units, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). A -5.5 per cent decline in December capped a turbulent year of model changes, regulatory upheaval and continued anti-diesel policies, adding to the ongoing decline in consumer and business confidence.
The UK new car market fell by -20.5 per cent in September, according to the latest figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 338,834 vehicles were registered in the month, down around 87,000 on the previous year as new testing requirements continue to affect supply and distort the market.
The UK new car market enjoyed a boost in August, as year-on-year demand rose 23.1 per cent, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 94,094 new cars were registered in the month as the market responded to regulatory changes, with cost-savvy buyers taking advantage of some compelling deals in what is always one of the year’s smallest months.
According to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), UK car production declined -11.0 per cent in July. 121,051 units left production lines as a raft of factors, including model changes, seasonal and operational adjustments and preparation for the introduction of the tough new emissions standards, affected output.