The UK car market continued its downward trend in August with sales off 6.4% versus last year’s pace. August was the fifth consecutive month of decline. However, the market cooling is off a high base ((August of 2016 was a record for the month) and August sales were still the third highest over the past ten years.
Data from the SMMT shows that some 76,000 new cars were registered in August and that cumulative year-to-date sales to the end of August stand at 1,640,241 units, some 2.4% down on last year.
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August is a low month for car sales in terms of the annual calendar. September sees a registration plate change that makes it a much bigger month. September sales will be eagerly awaited to see how the UK’s demand trend is shaping up. A number of manufacturers have now introduced scrappage-led marketing campaigns and discounts to list prices.
The SMMT also said that alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs) accounted for more sales than ever before in the month, with a 5.2% share of the market. Demand for petrol hybrid and pure electric battery powered cars increased substantially, up 74.9% and 62.5%, while plug-in hybrid registrations rose 38.5%. Conventional petrols grew 3.8% and diesels fell -21.3%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “August is typically a quiet month for the new car market as consumers and businesses delay purchases until the arrival of the new number plate in September. With the new 67-plate now available and a range of new models in showrooms, we anticipate the continuation of what are historically high levels of demand.”
