January’s new cars sales show “welcome sign of stability” as fleet increases market share
New car sales have made a positive start in 2012, albeit by a very meagre margin.
Registrations of new cars reached 128,853 units over January, just 42 more than in the first month of 2011. This slight uplift equated to an improvement of just 0.03%.
In a year where the UK car market is expected to bear great similarities to the last as regards to the number of units sold, SMMT Chief Executive Paul Everitt said the tiny rise was “a welcome sign of stability in uncertain economic times”.
He commented: “2012 is set to be an exciting year with record numbers of new models coming to market filled with innovative technology that will save the motorist fuel, enhance comfort and further increase levels of safety and security.
“However, to maintain market stability, the Government must act decisively and deliver much needed confidence to businesses and consumers.”
Fleet sales yet again led the market, contributing 70,649 of January’s sales and holding claim to 54.8% of the market compared to the private sector’s 41.1% (52,960 registrations).
This would explain diesel’s continued dominance which now holds a 53.7% majority market share after outselling petrol volumes for the first time last year.
Ford’s Fiesta is still the UK’s most preferred model when shopping for a new motor, shifting 7,824 units so far this year.
It has been an up and down year for commercial vehicles, with van and truck registrations slipping by 8.6% in January while truck rose by 45.4%. Van registrations also dipped by 16.4% to 14,338 units in January.
Mr Everitt added: “Over the course of 2012, SMMT expects the CV market to be steady, ending the year marginally up on 2011.
“Government support for business will be key to maintaining market stability. If confidence can be maintained through the year, we should see growth in 2013.”
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