July new car registrations in the United Kingdom climbed 0.6% year on year to a record 196,762 units but year to date sales were all but static at 1,544,247, up just 0.06% on 2002’s 1,543,330.
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SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “The last two months have seen registrations climb, although the market is expected to ease towards the end of the year. We now expect the year to close just under 2002’s total, at 2.52 million units, making 2003 the second highest year on record.”
Registrations of 2.52 million units in 2003 would make 2003 the second best year on record after 2002 registrations hit 2,563,631 units – 2,458,769 in 2001.
Registrations for the year to date are now just 917 units up on last year’s historic figures. Business demand showed the best percentage gain, rising 8.9% in July, while private registrations rose 3% in July and 0.5% for the year-to-date, significantly boosting their market share. Fleet demand recovered through the second quarter of 2003 and is now 1.8% down for the year-to-date.
September, a registration plate change month (from ‘03’ to ‘53’) and which typically accounts for 16-18% of the annual total, will be a key month in deciding the full year market total. Forecasters expect the figures to reach 420,000 units.
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By GlobalDataDemand for smaller cars is still on the up with supermini registrations climbing 8.9% in July. They accounted for 34.4% of the total market, up from 31.8% in July 2002.
Superminis dominated July’s best-sellers taking five of the top 10 spots. The Ford Focus remains the UK’s best-selling car for the 39th consecutive month.
Diesel registrations saw their 34th successive monthly increase, up 11.9% in July and 15.7% for the year-to-date. The Ford Mondeo, perhaps reflecting new diesel engine options, and a relatively rare automatic option, for once edged past the VW Golf to be the best selling diesel in July.
Mini registrations rose by 80% in July achieving a record market share of 2.2 per cent. MG Rover, Toyota and Honda ranges also built in the UK reported impressive growth, too.
Subaru, Kia, Lexus, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, Suzuki and Volkswagen were among foreign-built brands to record strong growth in July.
The SMMT has revised its new car registration forecasts upwards for both 2003 and 2004.
A modest decline is expected over the coming months, ending 2003 at 2.52 million units. This would be the second highest volume ever, down just 1.7% on last year’s record total.
Volumes are expected to cool in 2004 as pressures on consumer spending mount. After three strong years, registrations are still expected to exceed 2.42 million units.
