Member Article

UK car market recovers in October

Sales in new cars recovered in October after registrations increased by 12.1% to 151,252 units, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The UK car market defied European trends where demand is down, and brought the total number of new units to 1.8m over the last year.

This figure demonstrates an 83,823 increase in new car units from 2011, and SMMT predicts the total for the year will reach over 2m units.

Contrastingly, the UK commercial vehicle market suffered an 8.1% fall in registrations from September toOctober, although this represents a 16.3% year-on-year.

Paul Everitt, SMMT’s Chief Executive commented: “Despite almost 10% decline in the month, trucks have performed well in 2012, up 13% for the year-to-date after significant growth in the rigid sector earlier this year.”

Ford Fiestas were the best sellers for the year so far, and the top seller for October, closely followed by the Vauxhall Corsa.

The year-to-date figures, which show a 5% increase in new car registrations for 2012 so far, are in fact 16% lower than pre-recession times, with 335,000 less units sold than the same period in 2007.

Small car sellers have fared particularly well, with a rapid rise in UK demand for new models in the mini and supermini segments.

Paul Everitt added: “Despite uncertainty in the European economy, the UK new car market continues to grow, with registrations rising more than 12% in October to 151,252 units.

“It is encouraging to see the alternatively-fuelled vehicle market performing strongly, up 13% so far this year.

“Although the alternatively-fuelled vehicle sector represents only a small share of the overall market, it is vital that government sustains its consumer incentive programme and maximises the benefits available through the vehicle taxation system.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Miranda Dobson .