New car sales momentum continues in March
News
8 Apr 2013
SMMT data suggests UK new car registrations rose 5.9 per cent in March with 394,806 registrations of 13-plate cars.
March marked the 13th consecutive month of growth in new car registrations, with volumes at the highest since 2010 when the Scrappage Incentive Scheme supported the market.
“UK new car registrations out-performed expectations in March, the first month of the new 13-plate” said SMMT interim chief executive Mike Baunton.
“Despite ongoing economic concerns, consistent monthly growth in the market is an encouraging sign of returning consumer confidence as motorists are attracted to forecourts by new models and the latest technologies.”
The SMMT says that the market’s growth over the past 13 months has been supported by increases in private registrations, although all sales types reported growth in March and the first quarter as a whole.
The Ford Fiesta was the best selling model in both March (22,748 units) and Q1 (34,309 units). In March, it was followed by the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Focus, with 16,169 and 15,434 registrations respectively. These two were also in the top three sellers for Q1, but with Ford taking the top two places.
On the commercial side, van registrations increased 11.5 per cent to 43,684 in March, and grew 11.7 per cent during Q1 2013. However, truck registrations declined 15.1 per cent to 4,991 units in the month and fell 16.7 per cent for the year so far.
“Overall CV registrations continue to perform positively with the market increasing 8.1 per cent in March, boosted by an uplift in van demand,” said Nigel Base, SMMT commercial vehicle manager.
“Truck demand remains weak, but this could be indicative of delayed purchasing decisions ahead of the introduction of new Euro 6 legislation later this year. Next week kicks off with the 2013 CV Show at the NEC and this will provide operators with an excellent opportunity to explore the latest models as we welcome a number of high-profile world debuts and product launches.”
