THE SMMT’s monthly results for March were released on Friday and, like every month, the registration figures were a mixed bag of ups and downs for manufacturers.

To help wade through the information, we’ve gathered together a list of the winners and losers for last month – just which manufacturers performed best and worst.

 

Winners

Mitsubishi – up 54.2 per cent in March

Sales helped by new Outlander SUV and Mirage city car, and boosted by strong demand for L200.

Mercedes-Benz – up 15.5 per cent in March

Luxury manufacturer now has market share of 4.78 per cent, making it ‘the fastest growing premium brand’.

Hyundai – up 3.77 per cent in March

The Korean firm is also reporting nearly 20,000 registrations for Q1 of 2013 – a rise of 12.5 per cent.

Skoda – up 14.2 per cent in March

Demand for the new Octavia said to have played an important role.

Suzuki – up 19.3 per cent in March

10,009 units registered in Q1. Alto city car is running at ‘166 per cent year on year’, and accounts for 43 per cent of volumes, followed by Swift.

Toyota – up 4.84 per cent in March

Firm’s ‘family car range’ leading the trend, with Rav4 up 54.7 per cent, and Auris up 30.4 per cent.

Ford – up 13.86 per cent in March

Total vehicle registrations topped 100,000 – commanding 15 per cent of the market. Fiesta top of sales, Focus following.

Jaguar – up 20.6 per cent in March

3,505 vehicles registered – driven partially by XF Sportbrake. XF Saloon figures consistent with last year.

Land Rover – up 12 per cent in March

All new Range-Rover driving increase at 43 per cent up, with Freelander numbers ‘particularly positive’ at 45. Evoque also up 9 per cent.

Losers

Mazda – down 11.31 per cent in March

Market share also fell – was 1.84, now 1.54.

Proton – down 86 per cent in March

Budget firm sold just 8 cars against last year’s 59 as Romanian rival Dacia moves in.

SsangYong – down 47.37 per cent in March

Korean firm unable to repeat last year’s boom in sales.

MG – down 82.63 per cent in March

Chinese-owned British brand sold 41 cars – a significant drop on the 236 last year.

Alfa Romeo – down 37.4 per cent in March

As range of vehicles offered by the car drops to just two models, registrations fall.

Jeep – down 29 per cent in March

Demand for Compass, Wrangler and Grand Cherokee drops to 312 units.

 

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