Britain’s new car market is “cooling” this summer.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders showed a 0.1% rise compared to a year ago and put down to business sales keeping it ahead.
Sales in the first seven months of 2016 were 1,599,159 but the industry has been expecting a slow down and SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said it was important for the Government to maintain stimulus, adding, “With low interest rates, attractive finance options and exciting new models coming to the showrooms, the market still has lots to offer customers.”
July and August are traditionally quieter months for the motor trade with holidays and the impending new-plate coming in September. The Euro 2016 soccer games meant fewer visitors to showrooms, Wimbledon hit July sales and the Rio Olympics are expected to put a brake on August registrations, but automotive economist Prof Garel Rhys says a late boom may still push the total 2016 sales to over 1.8 Million as new models come in lower interest rates feed into the showroom incentives.
Market leader Ford lost ground while Vauxhall improved and put three models in the top ten last month led by the Corsa and followed by the Astra with good performance by Mercedes-Benz getting two cars in the top ten.
July’s top ten in the UK were Fiesta, Corsa, Astra, Focus, Qashqai, Golf, Polo, Mokka, MB A Class and MB C Class.
In Wales last month, 5,858 new cars were registered, a decrease of 4.76%.
The top ten new cars in Wales were Fiesta, Kuga, Mokka, Sandero, Focus, Qashqai, Polo, Golf, Yaris and Corsa. |