8:23 am, October 4, 2012
NEW car registrations grew 8.2 per cent in September, say monthly figures released by the SMMT today.
The rise, says the SMMT, exceeded expectations by more than 26,000 cars: growing to 359,612 units.
While September is typically a solid month compared to August, figures have even grown over last year. Since Septmber 2011, registrations rose by 7.5 per cent – the best non-scrappage scheme impacted figure since 2001.
However, these results may be skewed by pre-registration: Car Dealer understands three volume players registered a large number of cars on the last day of the month.
It’s good news for emissions too, which have tumbled by 3.4 per cent. Average new car CO2 outputs were 133.4g/km compared to 138.7g/km over the same period last year.
Paul Everitt, SMMT Chieft Executive said: ‘The important September plate change market outperformed expectations with new car registrations increasing more than 8% on last year to 359,612 units.’
‘Although the economic outlook remains challenging, we are starting to see a tentative return of consumer confidence as motorists explore new products and the latest fuel-efficient technologies.’
