9:06 am, October 4, 2019
THE UK new car market fell by 2.5 per cent in the first three-quarters of the year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
September saw modest year-on-year growth following a substantial 20.5 per cent decline in the same month in 2018, when new emissions regulations and lack of testing capacity across Europe affected supply.
The growth, representing some 4,421 units, wasn’t enough to recover losses of more than 87,000 in last year’s important plate-change month, however, leaving the year-to-date market trailing some 49,000 units behind this time in 2018. It is also in stark contrast to other major European markets, which this September rallied in double digits.
Source: SMMT
While the same regulatory upheaval has been experienced across the EU, in the UK the market is being subdued by the added pressure of political and economic uncertainty, with weak confidence stopping consumers from committing to big ticket purchases, said the SMMT.
September’s volumes were driven by the fleet sector, which grew by 8.6 per cent . Meanwhile, private demand remained stable, up 0.1 per cent , while business registrations sank by by 44.8 per cent . Diesel registrations fell by 20.3 per cent , as petrols experienced a moderate increase of 4.5 per cent .
Source: SMMT
There was good news for battery-electric cars (BEVs), which saw the biggest percentage growth of all fuel types – up 236.4 per cent (5,414 units) as new models boosted registrations.
Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) also saw growth for the first time in six months – albeit on the back of a 22.3 per cent decline in the same month last year. Year-to-date PHEV registrations are now 6.2 per cent below the same period two years ago. By comparison, popular hybrid-electric and battery-electric cars are up 32.8 per cent and 125.6 per cent on the same period.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: ‘September’s modest growth belies the ongoing downward trend we’ve seen over the past 30 months.
‘We expected to see a more significant increase in September, similar to those seen in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, given the negative effect WLTP had on all European markets last year. Instead, consumer confidence is being undermined by political and economic uncertainty.
‘We need to restore stability to the market which means avoiding a “no-deal” Brexit and, moreover, agreeing a future relationship with the EU that avoids tariffs and barriers that could increase prices and reduce buyer choice.’
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