The UK used car market stayed strong in 2017, as 8.1 million vehicles changed hands and buyers turned their backs on new models. The used car market dipped just -1.1% compared with the previous year as more than 8.1 million models changed hands, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Despite a -5.1% fall in the market in the fourth quarter, annual transactions were at … [Read more...]
UK car and cv production stalls but engines rev up
UK car production declined in 2017, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. Some 1,671,166 vehicles rolled off production lines last year, a -3.0% decrease on 2016 and the first decline for eight years – but still the second highest output in 17 years. A -9.8% fall in output for the domestic market drove the overall decline, as the market responded to declining … [Read more...]
Sales slide indicating worse to come, warn analysts
New car sales in Wales slipped 5.5% in January. Dealers reported 5,333 new cars registered in Wales last month compared to 5,641 12 months ago, the SMMT reported. That was a slightly better performance than the UK combined figure which saw a 6.3% decline with 163,113 new cars leaving showrooms. Bad weather in Scotland seriously impacted on sales north of the border with a huge 15.1% … [Read more...]
Falling car sales hit trade and Government revenues
An estimated £2.6 billion loss of revenue has resulted from the 5.7% fall in new car sales last year given by figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders, according to AA Cars. AA Cars explored the key reasons underpinning this decline in new car sales and surveyed almost 20,000 drivers. It found that 31% of motorists blamed this change primarily on rising living costs … [Read more...]
Row over “safer cars” claim by SMMT
New driver assistance technology is making British roads safer, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders - if you're lucky enough to have it fitted. The vehicle makers’ body in the UK says systems to reduce errors and accident severity are “available” on 70% of new cars, but the claim has been attacked by the insurers’ test centre at Thatcham which says 70% still don’t have standard … [Read more...]
New car sales dropped in 2017
British new car sales last year recorded their biggest drop since the 2009 recession. They slipped over 5% due to uncertainty over potential new diesel charges and weakening consumer confidence since Brexit and the SMMT expect a steeper slide this year of about 7%. Registrations ended 2017 at around 2.54 million vehicles, while demand for diesel cars fell 17% as consumers were put off by … [Read more...]
Diesel sales collapsing in UK – AFVs rising
Diesel sales have collapsed 30% in Britain as the new car market contracted by over 11% last month, said the car-makers’ body. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reported a rise to over 33% for alternatively fuelled vehicles and a 5% increase in petrol engined models. The big switch from diesel to alternative fuel led by business users comes amid growing concerns over diesel … [Read more...]
UK car plants thrive on exports not home sales
Car production went up 3.5% last month in the UK, said the SMMT. The car plants built 157,056 cars in October to meet a 5% rise in exports contrasting with 2.9% fall at home. The European car industry showed its resilience in October 2017, with new registrations totalling 1,202,877, an increase of 5.6% when compared to October 2016. This is the highest volume recorded for October since … [Read more...]
Budget battering for diesels
Diesel cars are in for a battering after the Budget. New diesel cars that do not meet latest emissions standards will face a one-off tax increase each April which will last until 2021 when most are expected to be replaced with the latest technology. Affected models will be those which fail Real Driving Emissions Step 2 standards on emissions and that means most new diesels would be subject … [Read more...]
Brakes still going on used-car sales, reports SMMT
The UK’s used car market declined for a second consecutive quarter in Q3, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. But overall, 2017 remains level with 2,102,078 second hand cars changing hands from July to September, representing a fall of -2.1%. Year-to-date, the market remained at record levels after a bumper first quarter, with more than 6.3 million buyers opting for a … [Read more...]