New car registrations in the UK fell 8.2% in January compared to the same month in 2004, the second consecutive monthly decline.
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The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said a total of 181,474 new cars were sold last month, the BBC reported, noting that January’s 8.2% decline followed a 7.1% dip during December.
The SMMT reportedly predicted that the number of new car registrations would continue to slow in 2005, down from 2004’s 2.567 million figure to 2.465 million.
In 2004, total new registrations fell for the first time in four years, down 0.5% from 2003’s 2.579 million, the BBC noted.
The new car market is a key economic indicator and January’s figures reflect consumer confidence,” SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan was quoted as saying. “While this month’s figures are below the strong start made in 2004, new car registrations continue to demonstrate a healthy level of demand.”
Although overall new car registrations fell in January, sales of diesel vehicles bucked the trend, rising by 7.7% or 66,455 units, the report added.
