Bus and coach registrations fell 18.4 per cent to 622 units in April, meaning a decline of 17.6 per cent in the first four months of 2013 to 2,559 units. Purpose-built bus and coach registrations dropped 28.9 per cent to 302 units in the month. Converted bus registrations also fell in April, by 5 per cent to 320 units.
SMMT figures show that UK new car registrations rose 14.8 per cent in April to 163,357 units. Registrations in the first four months of 2013 grew 8.9 per cent to 768,555 units. April secured the strongest growth in 14 months as buying cycles and market volatility combined to boost uptake.
Motorists in London are more likely than those in any other part of the UK to fail their MOT as a result of simple, easy-to-fix, issues such as blown bulbs, worn tyres and cracked windscreens. The research, conducted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), indicates that around 1.5 million MOT failures each year could be avoided if motorists carry out simple visual checks of their vehicles and forewarn their dealer of issues, before the annual test of roadworthiness.
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.”
Bus and coach registrations declined 22.8 per cent to 1,034 units in March and the first quarter of the year has ended 17.3 per cent down on last year, posting 1,937 units for the year-to-date. Purpose-built bus and coach registrations fell 18.6 per cent to 456 units for the month. Converted bus registrations also fell in the month, 25.9 per cent to 578 units.
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.
The SMMT has launched a nationwide campaign to help motorists reduce MOT failures, backed by 5,545 manufacturer main dealers across the UK.
Research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) indicates that around 1.5 million MOT failures each year could be avoided if motorists notify the dealer of simple problems with the vehicle before the annual roadworthiness test is carried out. In the biggest campaign of its type, 5,545 manufacturer main dealers across the UK will be giving guidance to motorists on the simple pre-MOT visual checks they can carry out on their own car.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has just completed its largest ever analysis of vehicle ownership in the UK. Tracking buying trends, ownership changes and transport preferences, the study records detail of each of the 35,760,901 cars, vans, trucks, buses and coaches currently on UK roads.
The research into SMMT's Motorparc data unearthed a wealth of statistically important facts, such as the trend towards smaller engines; the growth of low-carbon diesel power and the rise over time of the smallest class of cars, plus MPVs' increasing market share. Alongside this key data that paints a picture of UK motorists' changing relationships with vehicles, a host of intriguing stats came to light, redrawing the map in terms of the nation's motoring preferences.
Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne has delivered the latest UK budget including the cancellation of planned fuel duty increases. Other key points include confirmation that the income tax threshold will be raised to £10,000 by next year and the first £2000 will be taken off all employers’ National Insurance bills. Growth is forecast to be 0.6 per cent this year, with £3 billion promised for infrastructure investment as a way of improving this. Beer duty will be cut by 1p a pint.
Chicane, has boosted its media relations team with the appointment of Chris Wakley as a consultant. Wakley brings with him 35 years of automotive media relations experience and will assist Chicane with further developing its media relations offerings to automotive businesses as well as to the agency’s existing client base.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has confirmed it will focus on the UK automotive supply chain at its Open Forum event, taking place on 21 March 2013 in the West Midlands. The first speaker session will focus on the Automotive Council’s achievements to date and work going forward to strengthen the supply chain as well as activities undertaken by government. Members of the Automotive Council's Technology Group and Supply Chain Group will highlight the progress being made by the two key workstreams.
The total UK bus and coach market rose 34.2 per cent to 8,102 units in 2012, ending the year on a high. 2012 was a positive year for the overall bus and coach market, with significant growth posted across the sector: Registrations of purpose-built buses and coaches climbed 12.4 per cent in the year, posting 3,811 units. Converted bus registrations rose 62.2 per cent in 2012 to 4,291 units.
Releasing its figures on commercial vehicle registrations for December, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders described 2012 as "a tough year", during which the market dropped by -5.9 per cent to 285,343 units.
UK new car registrations rose 5.3 per cent in 2012 to 2,044,609 units, boosted by strong consumer demand. The latest data released by the SMMT on 7 January shows that annual the volume was highest since 2008 and recorded largest percentage increase since 2001. However, the new car market was still 14.9 per cent below the 2007 pre-recession level of 2.4 million units. According to the data, the market ended 2012 with a 3.7 per cent rise in December to 123,557 units.
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