• Car Dealer Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
No Result
View All Result

Optimism shines through despite drop in new car sales

Car Dealer Magazine by Car Dealer Magazine
December 5, 2018
0
Home News

TODAY’S news that new cars sales fell by three per cent last month has been met with an air of resignation but with optimism still evident.

James Fairclough, chief executive of AA Cars said: ‘In truth, we had hoped that today’s figures would be slightly stronger. However, we are not overly surprised as the run-up to Christmas is a traditionally more muted time for the industry.

‘There are also other factors that have caused new car registrations to fall, including the VED upheaval, the introduction of new emissions regulations and the confusion over fuel types, not to mention the uncertainty surrounding Brexit, which may well be causing people to delay their big-ticket purchases.

‘However, we are optimistic that this bottleneck will clear soon as we expect consumers to take advantage of compelling finance deals in the new year. On top of that, there’s lots of positive news to take from today’s figures in that certain fuel types have seen a significant increase in demand.’

Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association, said: ‘The new car market saw a marginal decline in November and remains in line with annual forecasts. When short-term challenges are overcome, the market is expected to see the positive impacts.

‘The trend in pure-electric and plug-in vehicles sales is encouraging. Consumer appetite is increasing and, as supply improves, we expect electric vehicles’ market share to continue to grow. We look forward to December’s figures, which will allow us to understand the full picture of 2018’s new car market.’

Meanwhile, Auto Trader director Ian Plummer said: ‘Thanks to a perfect storm of unforeseen challenges over the last few months, retailers are facing a financially difficult close to 2018, but consumers could pick up the bargain of the year.

‘Despite what has been an undoubtedly challenging year for the industry, the market remains relatively buoyant. However, the full extent of the disruption caused by WLTP is only now becoming clear, and the knock-on effects will be felt across UK forecourts for some time to come.’

Alex Buttle, director of car-buying comparison website Motorway.co.uk, said: ‘What does this tell us about the state of the new car industry when falling sales are a standard scenario? A three per cent overall sales decline in any other major sector would be disastrous but it’s business as usual for now. This is not so much a recession as a Great Depression for the whole industry.

‘New car sales have fallen off a cliff since the heady days of 2015, but there’s at least some positive news to draw from these figures, with petrol and AFV sales higher in November, although nowhere near enough to counter the decline in diesel sales.’

MORE: Modest decline in new car registrations in November, says SMMT

Related Posts

Luke Humprhries playing darts
News

Marshall Motor Group adds one of darts world’s most exciting prospects to line up of sponsorships

March 6, 2021
City Motors Citroen Dacia and Volvo
News

Car dealer City Motors site in Bristol sold to housing association for £9.1m

March 6, 2021
Citroen C3 on the road
News

Citroen increases warranty cover for cars bought online and promotes ‘money back guarantee’

March 6, 2021
Coronavirus testing being carried out
News

Free rapid coronavirus tests for employees available from today for car dealerships of all sizes

March 6, 2021
March 6 round-up: Covid deaths down 41%; Lockdown easing going to plan; Rates relief cap worries; VW teases Project Trinity
News

March 6 round-up: Covid deaths down 41%; Lockdown easing going to plan; Rates relief cap worries; VW teases Project Trinity

March 6, 2021
Porsche Bournemouth street scene
News

Inchcape reveals look of Destination Porsche Centre Bournemouth as success of current showroom prompts move

March 6, 2021

Want the latest news?

Sign up to Car Dealer's daily news email updates

Subscribe
How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed
News

How many car dealerships does each manufacturer have in the UK? Car Dealerships Locations List 2021 revealed

February 24, 2021
Used Car Awards with Mike Brewer and James Baggott graphi
News

Who won what at the Used Car Awards 2020? Mike Brewer reveals our winning car dealers

February 11, 2021
Car Dealer issue 156 front cover and Used Car Awards
Online Magazine

Out now: Car Dealer issue 156 features our Used Car Awards, H.R. Owen CEO Ken Choo and lots more

February 23, 2021
Used car market stronger than ever as August sees sales up by nearly 50 per cent for Big Motoring World
News

Opinion: Here are 10 reasons why I think there’ll be a rapid recovery in car sales when lockdown ends

February 16, 2021
Trophy Cars forecourt
News

Investigation: Meet the hyper-specialist car dealers making their money from weird and wonderful motors

February 11, 2021
Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice
News

Become a Car Dealer Plus member and get more out of this website including free legal advice

January 15, 2021
Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK
Car Dealer Top 100

Car Dealer Top 100 – The list in full of the most profitable car dealers in the UK

February 10, 2021
Bitcoin ATM terminal
News

Will car dealers in the UK accept Bitcoin for payment? Dealers speak out after Tesla plans to accept cryptocurrency 

February 18, 2021
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • UCA 2020
  • UCA 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100
  • CD Plus
Call us: 020 8125 3880

© 2020 Blackball Media

No Result
View All Result
  • Car Dealer Plus
  • Latest
  • Used Cars
  • Live
  • Forum
  • Power 2020
  • Used Car Awards 2020
  • Used Car Awards 2021
  • CDX
  • Knowledge
  • Suppliers Guide
  • About Us
  • Latest Issue
  • Top 100

© 2020 Blackball Media

Log In
Register
Register
Server 1