New-car registrations fall in May, supermini sales rocket
Author: Robin Brown
Published: 06 June 2008
Figures for UK car registration in May show a 3.9 per cent dip on sales figures, while year-to-date figures are down by 0.6 per cent.
The figures are provided by the Society of Motoring Manufacturer and Traders show that the drop was most pronounced in Norther Ireland, with figures more stable in England, Scotland and Wales.
The SMMT has forecasted a tough year for manufacturers, with the effects of rising fuel prices and economic uncertainty impacting on the car market.
“The slow-down in the overall new car market in May comes as no surprise and reflects concerns across the economy,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive.
“The figures are in line with SMMT forecasts for 2008, and we expect a tough year ahead.
"Vehicle manufacturers and dealers will have to work hard to attract consumers, who are facing increasing household and motoring expenses.”
Best sellers
So far in 2008, the most popular model is the perennial favourite Ford Focus. Ford has two more entries in the top ten with the Fiesta supermini and Mondeo family car, while Vauxhall appears in the top ten four times with the Astra, Corsa, Vectra and Zafira.
The supermini segment increased registrations by 120% in Mya, with the new Hyundai i10 the best seller in the segment.
4x4 and sports-car sales plummet
Registrations of 4x4s fell more than 18 per cent last month, while sports car sales dropped by nearly 15 per cent as big-ticket sales are curbed due to prevailing economic conditions.
Increasing financial penalties for more polluting vehicles alongside global trends of falling SUV and truck sales have seen interest in prestige vehicles drop off.
Private, business and fleet
Private demand fell by 9.5 per cent or 7,709 units in May, while business demand was down 15.4 per cent, though there was a 3.1 per cent increase in fleet demand.
Fuel types
Diesel volumes and market share improved in May by 8.4 per cent and to 44.8 per cent respectively, while demand for alternatively-fuelled vehicles slowed in May, down 8.3 per cent.
Increasingly the supermini is the choice of car-buyers in an age where the economical, practical, easy to park and ´green´ small car is king.
New car registrations in the UK in June fell 6.1% to 209,190, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
The number of new car registrations in the UK has been reported to be better than previously expected, an encouraging sign for new car dealerships.
If you want to show your support for England during the upcoming World Cup, a personalised ENG registration might be right up your street.
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