Record UK CV Registrations – Car Numbers Drop

January’s UK commercial vehicle rolling year total was the highest ever, according to the latest figures released by the SMMT. The numbers show that the rolling total stands at 391,070, up 7.6 per cent. The year-on-year figure also shows improvement, having grown 4.6 per cent compared with 2004.

“These figures show CV registrations are still growing strongly after a record year, with light vans making the running as usual,” said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT chief executive. “We already think 2005 is going to be another memorable year for vans, trucks and buses.”

In contrast, UK car registrations fell 8.2 per cent to 181,474 units in January. The number of diesel registrations moved in the opposite direction and rose by 7.7 per cent to 66,455 units. At the same time the monthly figures confirmed that the UK is the second biggest European market having produced 2,567,269 units in 2004.

Commenting on the figures, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “The new car market is a key economic indicator and January’s figures reflect consumer confidence. While this month’s figures are below the strong start made in 2004, new car registrations continue to demonstrate a healthy level of demand.”