2:01 pm, October 7, 2011
NEW car registrations were 0.8 per cent down in September, the latest figures from the SMMT reveal.
The registrations are ‘stable’ and are ‘in line with expectations’. The SMMT boss has even fronted a video talking about the September figures – see below.
332,476 new cars were registered, just 0.8 per cent down on last year.
‘The all-important September market outperformed expectations and is less than one per cent below last year at 332,476 units,’ said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.
‘We expected 2011 to be a challenging year and we are on track for a full year total of around 1.92m new car registrations, five per cent below 2010.
‘SMMT has revised down its 2012 registrations forecast to 1.96m units; a reflection of the continued weakness in UK domestic demand and the uncertainty across European economies. It is important government acts to sustain an investment-led recovery and implements measures to encourage more private sector investment in R&D, skills, new plants and machinery.’
‘Although it is positive to see a rise in fleet car sales volumes, there is still great cause for concern in the retail car market.’ said Sue Robinson, director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s new car registration figures.
‘Consumers are still experiencing rising household expenses and diminishing disposable income. Those that do have access to disposable income are still nervous about purchasing big ticket items. Instead they are putting off larger purchases until there are signs that the economy has began to recover.
‘The Government needs to look at schemes that could improve consumer confidence and boost spending, a message that we gave to all political parties at the recent party conferences.’
