New car registrations declined by 3.4% year-on-year in March, with political uncertainty and the continuing slump in demand for diesel offsetting the usual sales boost due to the introduction of new 19 plates.
March is traditionally a key month for car sales because of the plate change. This year a total of 458,054 cars were registered, compared to 474,069 last year, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The bulk of the decline again came from the slump in demand for diesel-engined cars, with registrations of such vehicles falling 21.4% to 120,677. By contrast, registrations of petrol cars rose by 5.1% to 312,075, with demand for Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs) increasing by 7.6% to 25,302.
Notably, sales of superminis rose by 4.3%, with the category accounting for 33.7% of all registrations in the UK. The Ford Fiesta remains the best-selling car in the UK, with 14,676 registrations in March, and 23,474 so far in 2019. The Vauxhall Corsa was second on the best-seller list, with the Volkswagen Golf third.
SMMT boss Mike Hawes said: “March is a key barometer for the new car market, so this fall is of clear concern. While manufacturers continue to invest in exciting models and cutting-edge tech, for the UK to reap the full benefits of these advances, we need a strong market that encourages the adoption of new technology.”
Hawes again said that the car industry “urgently” needs an end to the political uncertainty caused by the current Brexit situation.
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price rises?
cpi inflation calculator claims that £20000 today was worth £7520.81 in 1988. Anyone got any old price lists?
Hawes says
manufacturers continue to invest in exciting models, would he care to name them? The average cars now are not exciting, and havent been for years.. Some have looked the same for years, some manufacturers have a range of vehicles that all look the same, and some just make vehicles as exciting as a fridge freezer, and some just make them so unappealling to the eye, only Stevie Wonder would drive them..
Another reason
Cars are just to good and have been for a few years now.
Saw a 10 year old BMW 1 series 2.0(?) petrol, looked like it was new as the 1 series design has barely changed over the years. Almost certainly had air-con, lecy windows, auto wipers/lights and being a 120 is plenty quick enough. Will probably do another 10 years if keeping to average mileage use. Why would you part-ex it plus £20k and end up with a weaker 1.5 3 pot?
If you're not interested in cars buy a quality one new, cherish it and you're be rewarded with 20 years of rust free motoring.