March bus and coach sales down

Bus and coach registrations declined 22.8 per cent to 1,034 units in March and the first quarter of the year has ended 17.3 per cent down on last year, posting 1,937 units for the year-to-date. Purpose-built bus and coach registrations fell 18.6 per cent to 456 units for the month. Converted bus registrations also fell in the month, 25.9 per cent to 578 units.

“The bus and coach sector had a slow first quarter of 2013. The year started well but the first quarter has ended 17.3 per cent down on 2012. March dropped 22.8 per cent against last year. However, this has not been an unexpected drop, and we anticipate more modest growth for the year,” said Wendy Williamson, SMMT Bus and Coach Manager. “The London Olympics provided uplift to the sector last year and we are expecting the market to stabilise for 2013, with registrations on a par with 2011. There have now been more than 1,000 buses supported by the English and Scottish Green Bus Funds, reflecting the growing importance of low carbon buses into the bus sector. The fourth round of Green Bus Fund applications closed in March and should boost the market later this year.”