9:15 am, February 28, 2014
The trend for car buyers downsizing into smaller, more efficient cars is set to continue for some time to come, believes the SMMT.
In an exclusive interview with Car Dealer Magazine, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes, said consumers will continue to look for cheaper ways to get on the road – and it’s in this super-mini sector where traders can make big gains.
‘I think the trend will continue,’ said Hawes. ‘People are always interested in new technology and that starts with early adopters but then goes much more mainstream.
‘A newer car today can be significantly more efficient than one that dates back four or five years ago so the actual cost of ownership for running that car is a lot less and that can be an incentive to purchase.’
Many manufacturers and dealer groups have successfully marketed new cars as a cheaper alternative for motorists to their existing cars or a used model. With improvements in economy and cheap finance deals, it often makes finaicial sense for motorists to upgrade their cars.
‘We’ve seen for a number of months now that the growth in mini and super-mini sectors is continuing as well as cross-overs,’ added Hawes. ‘The overall trend – and we’re not just talking about the UK – is a move towards smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles and we see that continuing.’
- Mike Hawes wades into the pre-registration debate in the current issue of Car Dealer Magazine – available to download now for free on iPad here.
