European new car sales hit 10-year high, UK declining quickly
In 2017, new passenger car registrations experienced an increase of +3.4 per cent on the year before. This marked four consecutive years of growth and the best result since 2007 when 16 million units were registered. Registrations rose in the majority of the largest EU markets: Italy (+7.9 per cent) and Spain (+7.7 per cent) were followed by France (+4.7 per cent) and Germany (+2.7 per cent). In the UK the market declined by -5.7 per cent.
Fuel mix to become more important remarketing issue in 2018, says VRA
The balance of stocking diesel, petrol, hybrid and alternative fuel used cars is set to become a more important issue for dealers over the course of 2018, says the Vehicle Remarketing Association. The trade body, which represents members that are involved in the remarketing of more than 1.5m vehicles per year in total, says that the process is likely to be relatively measured but also unavoidable.
Backlash against diesels sees new car CO2 emissions rise
An anti-diesel agenda has resulted in new car carbon dioxide emissions rising for the first time in 14 years as people make the switch to petrol, recent research suggests. Department for Transport figures show that the average new car sold in 2017 produces more CO2 than one sold in 2016, reversing a continuous decline in emissions of the greenhouse gas since the figures were first published by the Government in 2003.
In 2017 the light commercial vehicle market was more resilient than expected with a modest decline of -3.6 per cent on last year. A total of 362,149 units were registered, which equates to only 13,538 vehicles less than the previous year.
According to figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association registrations in November fell by -17.7 per cent compared to the same period in 2016. Year-to-date decline stood at -15.7 per cent. In total, 6,288 bikes were registered in the month.
Falling demand for diesels sees November new car market down 11 per cent
The UK new car market declined for an eighth consecutive month in November, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 163,541 vehicles were registered, down -11.2 per cent year-on-year, driven by a significant fall in diesel demand.
SMMT figures show that new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations experienced a double-digit decline in November. The market fell -11.1 per cent, with 26,486 new vans and pick-ups registered – the third consecutive monthly fall.
According to figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association, registrations in October fell by -13.6 per cent compared to the same period last year and the year-to-date decline currently stands at -15.5 per cent. 7,406 bikes were registered in the month compared with 8,595 units in October 2016.
The new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined in October, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 24,968 new LCVs joined British roads last month, a -7.4 per cent fall compared with the same month last year.
The UK new car market declined for a seventh consecutive month in October, with 158,192 new units registered, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand fell by -12.2 per cent in the month, as falling confidence among buyers continued to impact the market.
Uncertainty and weaker sterling behind LCV registration decline
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) has commented that the lower number of light commercial vehicle registrations in September is indicative of “uncertainty” and higher retail prices of goods from the European Union as a result of a weaker pound.
Michelin has taken first place in Tyres & Accessories annual online brand prominence table, conducted in association with analysts NetNames. Following the news that Michelin is the strong online brand in terms of social media equity both in the UK and globally, the French tyre maker is no doubt delight to continue its historically strong showing. However, for the second year in a row, Continental overtook Michelin in terms of brand sentiment. And when you consider that Continental is also Michelin’s main contender in terms of social media equity, it now appears that pole position in the online space is a two horse race between Michelin and Continental. That’s said, at the other end of the spectrum mid-range and economy brands have registered some significant increases in online brand prominence during the last 12 months.
Motorcycle registrations in August fell by –17.8 per cent compared to the same period last year, with the total number of bikes being sold down to 6,856 units. “Demand for motorcycles continued its downward trend in August – marking eight consecutive months of decline in the market”, said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA).
Slower August for UK new car market – registrations drop 6.4 per cent
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported a fifth consecutive month of decline in the UK new car market. August registrations fell -6.4 per cent, following 2016’s record August. The SMMT remained sanguine about the decline, pointing out that, at 76,433 new cars registered, it is still the third-best August in 10 years. The year-to-date has remained broadly in line with full-year expectations, down 2.4 per cent, with 1,640,241 new cars joining British roads in the first eight months.
Long-term trend shows winter tyres receding, all-season rising in UK
The viability of a sustained winter tyre market in the UK has long been categorised as doubtful, with sales rarely climbing to 2 per cent. Meanwhile recent improvements in tyre technology and the introduction of products looking to change their perception, led by the Michelin CrossClimate’s success in the fleet market, have seen all-season tyres become an increasingly attractive proposition.
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