4:43 am, December 1, 2011
GLOBAL information services firm Experian has published its UK used car sales statistics for the third quarter of 2011.
Sales of premium brand used vehicles, led by BMWs and Audis, bucked a small decline in sales volumes with year-on-year increases of 2.76 per cent and 8.57 per cent respectively.
By contrast, the luxury car segment led the fall in sales with a 7.85 per cent drop compared to 2010.
1,749,417 used cars were sold during July, August and September, a 2.88 per cent decrease in sales when compared to quarter three 2010 (1,801,258) and also a drop of 0.71 per cent since quarter two 2011 (1,761,916).
Despite the majority of segments seeing a sales decrease, the 4×4 (including Range Rover Sport and BMW X5), MPV (including Vauxhall Zafira and the Renault Scenic) and mini (Smart Fortwo and Fiat Seicento) categories all saw rises compared to quarter three 2010 of 2.56 per cent, 0.87 per cent and 0.59 per cent respectively.
Sales of electric models were 25 per cent higher than in quarter three 2010.
Regionally, the north west saw the biggest decline compared to quarter three 2010, with sales down by 4.61 per cent. Scotland was the only region to see an uplift in sales both year-on-year and since last quarter (0.60 and 1.91 per cent respectively).
Alistair Scullion, managing director of Experian Automotive in the UK and Ireland, said: ‘Despite the slight drop in used car sales this quarter, the strong performance of the 4×4, MPV and mini categories and the continuing popularity of higher end brands points to growth opportunities in a challenging market environment.
‘The use of market and business intelligence highlights the changing market dynamics that can help dealers to optimise their stock mix in line with market demands.’
