New car registrations in Wales shot up 23.8% despite the atrocious July weather, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. It was the same rise as in Northern Ireland but slightly trailed the growth in England of 29.5% and was ahead of Scotland’s 21.6%. New car sales in Wales reached 4,955 registrations last month and the UK totalled 143,561. So far this year, Welsh dealers … [Read more...]
From pride to fall and now future collectable
Once an owner's pride & joy, some familiar models are now destined to become future collectables. While arguably not in the same league as classics, there are a number of cars which will jog memories of their good and bad points and a sweep through the DVLA records in Swansea by Confused.com insurance has turned up a few surprises. The 10 car models that have seen the biggest … [Read more...]
Mixed signals in bus and cv sales, say manufacturers
SMMT released its second quarter registration figures for the HGV, Bus and Coach sectors, and mixed signals could be found. The UK new bus and coach market grew slightly by 0.6% to 1,066 units, with the good news that single-deck buses were up 65.3%, while double deckers – which represent a greater share of the market – fell by -24.9%. While ridership levels have gradually been improving since … [Read more...]
UK car sales plunge nearly 30% in November
New car registrations slumped by 27.4% in November in Britain, according to the Society of Motor Manufactuers and Traders, as English showrooms were closed in the latest lockdown. Click and collect helped sals achieve 113,781 and “With a vaccine now approved, the business and consumer confidence on which this sector depends can only improve, giving the industry more optimism for the turn of the … [Read more...]
New car sales rise in hoped for lift to market
Pent up demand after lockdown eased is thought to have driven a rise in new car registrations last month. Figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders due to be released later this morning are expected to show an 11% rise compared with the same month in 2019. December saw the last increase but it was a blip after a year of decline. The new car sales market has struggled with … [Read more...]
Newslines 27 July
Safety organisations and police fear a rapid rise in riders' injuries and deaths after seeing up to 50,000 motorbikes a weekend on Welsh roads after lockdown ended. It is thought to be a reaction against cuts to public transport and the rising costs of using cars, trains or buses. Police have towed away cars illegally parked in Snowdonia while owners went into the mountains. Civil enforcement … [Read more...]
Car makers poorly prepared for new law
The European car market saw spectacular growth in August, recording the highest August result in the last twenty years. But this strong growth was artificial as registrations were boosted by stock clearances ahead of the introduction of tougher new emissions tests under the World Light Car Test Programme, or WLTP, on the 1 September. This is evidenced by unusual results in typically slow … [Read more...]
Big drive underway with evs and hybrid cars
A new electric or hybrid car is being registered in Britain every nine minutes. Figures released today by Go Ultra Low reveal that the overall number of pure electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles registered has risen every month so far this year. The first half of 2018 saw 28,054 registered to drivers, a 25% increase on the same period in 2017 – which was the most successful … [Read more...]
Welsh car sales rise against the tide
Wales bucked the trend as summer burned new car dealers with sales down 3.5% in June, according to figures from the SMMT. The news came on the day that JLR said it would have to reconsider planned UK investment if there is a “bad” Brexit deal, possibly close some British factories and make thousands redundant. Six months ago, JLR announced cuts at Halewood, said it wouldn’t renew contracts … [Read more...]
Brakes going on Wales car sales
March car sales in Wales were 19,885, just 2.1% up on 12-months earlier and the lowest increase in Britain, said the SMMT. With a new plate being introduced, March is traditionally the highest month for registrations and across the UK and they were 8.4% up nationally to 562,337, the highest on record. The jump was largely due to the rise in VED rates from 1 April which will affect every … [Read more...]