Fleet performs well as quietest month reaps upturn for new car registrations
Registrations of new private cars have finally followed fleet’s positive example after more than a year of successive decreases month-on-month.
Figures from the SMMT show that private regs were up by over a tenth (10.7%) throughout August in comparison to the same month last year.
Fleet sales continued its confident streak of improvement with a 4.5% increase, dominating the bulk of the market with 55.6% of all registrations.
Overall, the new car market impressed with an average rise of 7.3% last month and 59,346 units shifted across the board. The fleet sector contributed 32,975 of those, private 24,572, while business picked up the remaining 1,799.
61-plate
Although obviously pleased at news of the upturn, SMMT boss Paul Everitt was looking ahead to next month’s figures which will reveal how the new 61 plate had affected registrations.
He commented: “August represents a relatively small share of the new car market and the September new 61-plate registrations will be far more important for vehicle manufacturers and franchised dealers.
“The September new car market is always important for the UK motor industry, accounting for around 17% of the full year’s registrations.
“Consumers are nervous about the future, but with industry offering unprecedented improvements in fuel economy, competitive finance offers and a wide variety of new models, buyers will find there is something to suit every taste and pocket.”
Van and truck registrations also had a strong month, up by nearly a quarter on last August’s performance. Van sales recorded 10,640 units while trucks bagged 2,411.
Mr Everitt pinned this on operators returning to more typical replacement schedules.
He added: “With the commercial vehicle market up by over 20% for the year-to-date, industry is optimistic, but short to medium term economic uncertainty is likely to temper the rate of future growth.”
The Ford Fiesta (pictured) is still the frontrunner in the best seller leaderboard, shifting 61,551 so far this year, over 3,000 of which were snapped up in the last month.
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