New car sales drive forward 6%
UK CAR sales have started the year positively although some leading manufacturers saw registrations dip significantly on this time last year.
Latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show the market was up around 6.66% in January compared to the same month in 2014 – the strongest January for eight years. In total, 164,856 vehicles were registered last month (2013: 154,562).
The figures come despite dips for several leading manufacturers, the most alarming of which (considering its importance to the UK automotive industry) is Jaguar. Sales dipped almost 27% last month compared to January 2014. Stablemate Land Rover was also down, although only by 1.8%.
While initially concerning for JLR, the company can point to the expectation of stronger sales come the spring when the new XE is launched to the market.
However, JLR was not alone in seeing sales fall – Aston Martin (-10%); Crewe-based Bentley (-16.7%); Ford (-1.4%); Infiniti (-7.5%); Peugeot (-5.8%); and Volkswagen (-3%) were all down.
By comparison, Vauxhall (+13.7%); SEAT (+13%); Porsche (+21.4%); Nissan (+26%); Mini (+11%); Mercedes (+20%); Mazda (+19.25); Lexus (+50%); Jeep (+67%); Honda (+12.6%); Dacia (+18%); and Abarth (+60%) all saw double digit growth. Special mention also goes to Maserati, which saw an increase of 82.5%, although as with most luxury manufacturers volumes are small – 115 compared with 63 last January.
The positive performances helped January to become the 35th consecutive month of growth in the market. Growth in company car registrations was particularly strong, up 18.1% on January 2014.
Alternatively-fuelled vehicles were also up strongly in January at 4,598, against 2,859 last year – a rise of 60.8%.
Ford again claimed top first place in the best-seller list with its Fiesta trouncing all-comers. However, Vauxhall took second spot with its Corsa, sending the Focus into third. Other strong showings – perhaps reflecting the strong sales performance for Nissan and Mercedes – included the Qashqai and C Class.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “These figures mark an encouraging start to the year after a very strong 2014, with a strikingly robust company car market as businesses take advantage of the attractive finance offers currently available.
“January saw increased uptake of both petrol and diesel cars, while demand for alternatively-fuelled vehicles continued its surge with registrations rising by 60.8%. Registrations of plug-in vehicles were particularly strong as consumers responded to a greater choice of makes and models delivering lower running costs.
“Last year’s 9.3% rise in the overall market was fuelled by stronger than expected economic confidence and, for 2015, we expect to see some levelling off throughout the year: demand is back to pre-recession levels following record-breaking growth.”
