The UK September new year car market was down 0.7% to 413,991 units, beating a trade group’s expectation. Year to date volume was down 3.5% to 1,901,888 units. Superminis (B-segement) took five places in the top 10 as their sector volume rose 10.4%. It was also the fifth consecutive monthly gain for diesel registrations.
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“September registrations were some 20,000 units higher than we expected and this has got the 56 plate [registration date identifier] off to a racing start,” said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan. “Traditionally an exciting time for buyers, September private registrations were on a par with last year’s volumes. In respect of the overall market to date, although fuel price increases have eased, their volatility, along with concerns over possible interest rate rises, continues to affect customer confidence.”
Private demand at 192,051 units was on a par with last year’s September registrations, year-to-date falling by 0.7% to 853,204. September is a strong performer for the private sector, taking 46.3% of registrations compared to 44.8% average for the year.
Fleet volumes year-to-date registrations remain down by 1.3% to 919,338.
The fourth quarter market could move by 8.5% and still achieve the current 2.33m unit forecast. Much uncertainty surrounds December which was exceptionally strong last year. SMMT’s forecast is due to be revised during October and could climb to 2.35m units.
Whilst the overall market only edged downwards in September, non-UK-produced cars took the lion’s share of the volumes at 86.2%.
The Ford Fiesta was September’s best seller (21,793 and 85,924YTD) – its first time at the top of the charts since March 2000. This helped it pass Vauxhall’s Astra (16,346; 85,468 YTD) for second place over the year-to-date.
It was a good month for superminis, with five models in the top 10 and volumes up 10.4% to ensure net growth over the year-to-date.
The Focus (17,999; 111,335YTD) was knocked off the top slot last month for only the third time in the past six and half years.
Only luxury saloons, MPVs (minivans) and superminis have shown growth over the year-to-date.
