The UK new car market totalled 1.94m units in 2011, 4.4% down on 2010.
Data issued by the SMMT also shows that new car sales in December fell by 3.7% on last year to 119,188 units.
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Diesel and alternatively fuelled cars both took record market shares over the year.
The SMMT said that UK car market is forecast to be ‘broadly stable’ in 2012, with firmer recovery expected in 2013.
“2011 proved to be a challenging year for the UK motor industry. Total new car registrations were slightly ahead of industry expectations at 1.94 million units, still down 4.4% on 2010,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “Weak economic growth will make trading conditions tough in 2012, but record numbers of new and updated models, significantly improved fuel efficiency and exciting new technologies will help to encourage consumers into showrooms. Business and consumer confidence will be the key to a successful year, so it will be important that government delivers on its growth strategy and helps to resolve instability in the eurozone.”
The 4.4% decline over 2010 followed a weak start to the year, with volumes set against Scrappage aided markets till mid-year. In the second half of 2011 the market was down just 1.1% on a year ago.
Registrations in 2011 were supported by fleet sales, with the private market recording a drop in volumes.
Diesel and alternatively-fuelled cars both took record shares of the market in 2011, with diesel volumes surpassing petrol volumes for the first time. Alternatively fueled vehicles are still a small part of the market though: in 2011 they were up 11.3% to 25,456 units. Diesel sales were up 4.8% to 981,594 units, with petrol down 12.8% to 934,203 units.
The Ford Fiesta was the best selling new car in 2011, with the VW Golf the best selling diesel model. The Supermini segment remains the largest in the UK, with a market share almost unchanged on 2010 at 36.3%. The Executive, Luxury Saloon and Dual Purpose segments all recorded growth in registrations in 2011.
Download car sales for 2011 by make (.xls format)
