EurotaxGlass’s says the number of new car variants available in the UK has increased “a staggering” 42% in just three years.
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Currently, 62 manufacturers collectively offering 322 model ranges with 6,114 distinct model variations (based on body style, engine, trim and gearbox options).
Three years ago the same number of manufacturers offered 4,301 models in 292 model ranges.
EurotaxGlass’s said the rapid rise in choice has been partly fuelled by an ongoing trend for model diversification by car makers, reflecting the UK market’s growing appetite for niche vehicles such as SUVs and MPVs (minivans), coupled with weakening demand for conventional saloons (sedans) and hatchbacks.
“One direct consequence of the rise in vehicle choice is a fall in the total number of registrations for each model,” said EurotaxGlass’s spokesman Alan Cole.
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By GlobalDataThe overall average UK registration per model currently stands at just 563.
“Not surprisingly, the fewer the number of available models the higher the average number of registrations. Mini, with just 19 different models currently available, has the highest number of average registrations at 1,679. By contrast, Mercedes-Benz offers a vastly greater quantity of models and consequently now records only 167 registrations for each one,” Cole noted.
Will dealers press for model rationalisation?
With the rise in the number of vehicle ranges and individual models, UK dealers face an unenviable task in selecting representative models to display in their showrooms or make available for test drives.
“It’s now increasingly unlikely that the prospective buyer will be able to see – least of all drive – the car they ultimately wish to purchase,” addedCole.
The majority of franchises will sell only a tiny number of each model available to them. For example, with 515 models in their new car range, each of the UK’s 650 Ford dealers will only sell an average of 1.1 units of each model per year.
The situation is better for some of the prestige brands but not all. The 157 BMW dealers with access to 313 different models will each sell an average of 2.08 units per annum, whilst the Mini dealer network, with just 152 dealers and 19 models, each sell 11.05 units annually. The 220-strong Audi dealer network, on the other hand, with 351 models, will typically only sell 1 unit of each model every year.
“One can speculate that the small number of Mini models available has in some way contributed to the marque’s phenomenal success,” Cole suggested.
“The limited number of models simplifies the consumer’s choice and makes it much easier for sales staff to understand and communicate the merits of individual variants. It also makes the production logistics easier and – importantly – cheaper, thereby helping to boost profits per unit.”
Regardless of the changes to the EU’s Block Exemption regulations on October 1, EurotaxGlass’s believes that the number of available car models will ultimately have to be rationalised.
“If vehicle manufacturers do not do this themselves, they may be forced into so doing by their dealer networks. When dealerships are in a position to be in better control of their own destiny and choose only to stock models that consumers actually want, model rationalisation will occur naturally,” Cole added.
