SMMT figures reveal that new car registrations rose seven per cent in November to 159,581 units, the month’s best performance since 2004. 2,111,819 cars have been registered for the year-to-date, up 9.9 per cent and already ahead of the 2012 full-year figure of 2,044,609. This means that the car market is on target to hit the SMMT forecast of 2.25 million registrations for 2013.
During the first nine months of 2013, Finnish tyre maker Nokian Tyres added 124 outlets to its Vianor dealer network. As of 30 September 2013 the Vianor network operates 1,161 centres in 26 countries. Vianor outlets in Finnland, Sweden, Norway, the US, Switzerland and Russia belong to the company while the remaining 978 are bound to Vianor/Nokian through franchise agreements.
The new 63 registration plate boosted the car market for September, seeing it rise 12.1 per cent to hit 403,136 registrations, according to figures released by the SMMT. This made September 2013 the best performing month since March 2008 with the highest volume in 66 months. Private registrations have risen 16.7 per cent over year-to-date, helping the overall market rise 10.8 per cent. More than 1 in 7 new cars registered in the month is UK-built.
The annual Labour Rates Survey carried out by Warranty Direct, suggests that garages are charging an average of £8.16 an hour less than last year to carry out service or repair work. The average hourly labour rate in 2013 of both franchised and non-franchised workshops is £74.70, down 9.84 per cent from £82.86 in 2012. Data from more than 12,000 cases were analysed in the study.
New light commercial vehicle figures released today show overall sales were up 12.4 per cent in September and up 8.1 per cent year-to-date. Van sales increased by 10.3 per cent last month, whilst truck demand rose by 29.7 per cent.
In the UK, August is traditionally a slow month for sales of new cars, as people hold on for the change of registration plate which happens in September, with only around three per cent of sales during the month. September, by contrast, typically accounts for over 17 per cent of full year registrations.
New car sales figures for July, released by the SMMT, show month on month sales were up 12.7 per cent compared to July last year. This continuing buoyancy caused the SMMT to revise its forecast for sales for the year as a whole – up from 2.1 million vehicles to 2.2 million. This figure is an 8.4 per cent increase on 2012 sales.
According to recent information released by the Independent Garage Association (IGA), cash-strapped motorists will be delighted to hear that visiting an independent garage could cost them on average £40 an hour less than if they visited a franchise dealer.
The IGA polled over 2000 of its members on their labour rates and has concluded, that independent garages 'continue to offer motorists the very best value for money.' Enabling all UK motorists to find a 'trusted' local independent garage was one of the key reasons why the IGA launched its UK-wide Trust My Garage scheme.
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has reacted strongly to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) and National Franchised Dealers Association’s (NFDA) ‘Minute Or Two’ MOT campaign, saying is “a blatant attempt to drive business away from independent garages.”
Continuing the recent trend, van registrations increased 11.5 per cent in March, contributing to an overall commercial vehicles registrations sales rise of 8.1 per cent.
Commenting on the SMMT's van and truck registration figures, Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK said:
New car sales figures, released today, show month on month sales were up 5.9 per cent compared to March 2012. Fleet registrations increased by 3.7 per cent last month whilst private registrations increased by 7.8 per cent. The car industry received the news very positively, but market analysts were more cautious. In any case increased registrations are good news for the tyre business albeit in the medium to long term.
Franchised vehicle dealers believe there has been an overall improvement in the day to day relationship with their manufacturer. Sales incentive programmes and improved profitability boosted partnerships, according to the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Dealer Attitude Survey Winter 2012/2013 results.
Six months after appointing Andrew Huntly as business development director, Halfords Autocentres is continuing to drive its fleet and affiliate business with the addition of two further BDMs. The new appointments bring Halfords Autocentres’ fleet account handling complement to six, demonstrating the business’ willingness to invest in the sector as part of ambitious growth targets.
Sales of new cars in the UK in 2012 topped more than two million, giving the best sales figures since 2008. Commenting on the SMMT's car registration figures Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, said: "Retail demand drove the UK car market in 2012 whilst fleet sales were flat."
The market for motorcycles in November shows a decline of 3.2 per cent in a year where the market has experienced a mere 0.1 per cent growth for the year to date.
Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA)/Motorcycle Retailers Association (MRA) commented "Of particular concern is the slowdown in the 51-125cc commuter bike market that has performed throughout the year with an increase in the year to date of 9.3 per cent. However, in November the 51-125cc market experienced a downward fall of 6.8 per cent. This is a strong indication that economic pressures are affecting basic purchases of lower priced motorcycles that many consumers consider an essential form of commuter transport."
