Figures released by the SMMT on 5th January confirm that the UK new car market grew again in 2000 to reach 2.22 million units. The market was up by 1% over the 1999 level. The SMMT notes that market activity accelerated in the final quarter due to highly competitive conditions and lower car prices. The December market rose by 27.5 per cent to its highest ever tally, at 107,803 units. The SMMT is countering the suspicion of large-scale ‘pre-registrations’ by dealers by pointing out that ‘private’ sales, rather than fleet or business, surged in December.
Market leader Ford lost share in 2000, declining to a little under 17%, although the Ford Focus was Britain’s best-selling car. The Vauxhall Astra edged past 1999’s bestseller, the Ford Fiesta, to take second place. The rise in demand in 2000 followed strong growth for small cars. Both mini and supermini demand rose rapidly and added over 107,000 units to the market.
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‘The year-end figures are excellent news and represent a massive vote of confidence for the industry by UK car buyers. The most encouraging aspect of what has been a record-breaking December is the huge rise in private sales, up by more than 40 per cent on last year.’ said SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan.
The SMMT also notes that the outlook is for ‘modest growth in 2001 following the trend in strong private led demand, a positive economic backdrop and the arrival of innovative new products’. The introduction of a new registration plate system in September 2001 may affect the timing of demand this year.
Top Ten Selleing Models in 2000 | |||
1 | Ford | Focus | 114,512 |
2 | Vauxhall | Astra | 93,263 |
3 | Ford | Fiesta | 91,783 |
4 | Vauxhall | Corsa | 84,514 |
5 | Peugeot | 206 | 80,991 |
6 | Vauxhall | Vectra | 70,704 |
7 | Ford | Mondeo | 69,377 |
8 | Renault | Mégane | 64,666 |
9 | Renault | Clio | 61,209 |
10 | Volkswagen | Golf | 57,359 |
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