MARCH UK NEW CAR MARKET HITS ALL-TIME HIGH

SMMT NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS 5 APRIL 2017 (DATA FOR MARCH AND Q1 2017)

  • Market rises 8.4% in March to become the biggest ever month for the sector – 562,337 new cars registered.
  • Registrations jump 6.2% in Q1 2017 to 820,016 units – a new record quarter.
  • Consumers bring forward purchases to avoid new VED charges in place from 1 April 2017.
  • More diesel cars sold in March than any other single month.

Wednesday 5 April, 2017 The UK’s new car market grew by 8.4% in March, making it the biggest month since records began,1 according to figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The record performance came as buyers seized the chance to buy cars before the new vehicle excise duty (VED) rates came into force. From 1 April, under the new system all new cars, except for those with zero emissions, are subject to an annual flat rate charge.

562,337 new cars were registered in March, more than double the number in the first two months of the year combined.2 820,016 new cars were driven off forecourts in the first quarter of 2017, up 6.2% on the same period in 2016 and setting a new record for the quarter.3

Following the recent trend, consumers are increasingly looking to invest in the latest low-emission technology, with March seeing a 31.0% surge in registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles. Petrol cars experienced a notable uplift too, growing 13.2%, while demand for diesels also increased compared to the previous year, with nearly a quarter of a million buyers choosing them – the most ever in a single month.4

Fleets and businesses were the big contributors to market growth in March, with registrations up 12.6% and 11.9% respectively, though demand from private buyers also grew, with registrations climbing 4.4% to reverse the decline in demand seen during the previous month.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “These record figures are undoubtedly boosted by consumers and businesses reacting to new VED changes, pulling forward purchases into March, especially those ultra-low emission vehicles that will no longer benefit from a zero-rate fee. This bumper performance probably means we will see a slowdown in April, exacerbated by the fact there are fewer selling days this year given Easter timing. Looking ahead to the rest of the year, we still expect the market to cool only slightly given broader political uncertainties as there are still attractive deals on offer.” 

1 525,897 new cars registered in August 1997.

2 257,679 new cars registered in January and February 2017.

3 771,780 new cars registered in Q1 2016.

4 244,263 new diesel cars registered in March 2017.

The attached tables show registration figures for Great Britain, Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands in detail. Providing that SMMT is cited as the source of this information, the figures may be quoted for editorial use only. Substantial reproduction needs specific approval by SMMT. April new car registration figures will be released on 4 May 2017.

About SMMT and the UK automotive industry

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) is one of the largest and most influential trade associations in the UK. It supports the interests of the UK automotive industry at home and abroad, promoting a united position to government, stakeholders and the media.

The automotive industry is a vital part of the UK economy accounting for more than £71.6 billion turnover and £18.9 billion value added. With some 169,000 people employed directly in manufacturing and 814,000 across the wider automotive industry, it accounts for 12.0% of total UK export of goods and invests £2.5 billion each year in automotive R&D. More than 30 manufacturers build in excess of 70 models of vehicle in the UK supported by more than 2,000 component providers and some of the world’s most skilled engineers.

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