The UK new car market achieved modest growth in August, as registrations rose 3.3 per cent against the same month last year, according to figures released by SMMT. 81,640 new cars were registered in the month, with year-to-date performance remaining positive, up 2.8 per cent to 1.68 million units.
This year’s National Franchised Dealers Association Summer 2016 survey, published today, had 1,746 respondents from a total participating dealer network of 4,090, which equates to a response rate of 43 per cent. This is the highest return ever, surpassing last winter’s high of 39 per cent. There were 28 franchise networks in the survey which represent a range of dealer sizes and ownership type from across the UK.
Official figures published the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that overall retail sales in the UK rose 5.9 per cent in July 2016 compared to the same period last year.
The government has announced that employers paying the apprentice levy, which will apply to businesses with payroll bills of over £3 million, are expected to register for the digital service by January 2017. Further details about funding, government support, additional support for 16- to 18-year-olds, English and maths payments and eligibility rules are not due to be published until October 2016.
Figures released by the SMMT show that UK new car registrations experienced a very slight increase in July, up 0.1 per cent for the month, at 178,523 units. 1,599,159 new cars have been registered so far this year, putting demand in the year-to-date 2.8 per cent higher than for the same period in 2015, following a strong first quarter. Fuelled by a possible inflection point in the market – two years of strong car registrations figures have built up a wave of two-three year old used cars that could detract from new car purchases – and the as-yet unseen effects of the Brexit decision, some are advising a note of caution.
The National Franchised Dealers Association has called on the government to delay the new apprenticeship levy. Due to start in April 2017, the levy will be applied to employers with a wage-bill of over £3 million who will contribute with a tax of 0.5 per cent of their wage-bill. “The NFDA supports recent calls by businesses to the government to delay the apprenticeship levy”, said Sue Robinson, director of the association.
Overall light commercial vehicle demand was up 2.7 per cent in June with 36,700 units registered. New van market reached record levels in the first six months of 2016, increasing by 3.0 per cent compared to last year, to 191,996 units.
In May 2016, European passenger car registrations showed double digit growth marking 33 consecutive months of growth. Year-to-date, the market grew by 9.9 per cent, totalling 6.4 million units. “It is extremely positive to see that European new passenger car registrations rose 16.0 per cent in May, reaching 1,288,220 units,” said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on figures published by ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association).
In the first quarter of 2016, 11,755 ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) were registered in the UK, 1 per cent of all new vehicle registrations. These figures show an increase of 31 per cent compared to last year when ULEVs were accounting for 0.8 per cent of all new registrations, and they were up an impressive […]
The UK new van market saw steady growth in May 2016, according to figures published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) rose 1.9 per cent, with more than 28,000 hitting British roads – the highest number on record for the month.
Demand for new cars in the UK remained stable in May with a steady 2.5 per cent growth in registrations, according to figures released by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 203,585 cars were registered in the month, May’s highest total since 2002.
“We are pleased to see that passenger car registrations in the EU continued to perform well in April marking 32 consecutive months of growth”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on figures published by ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association).
“The NFDA is concerned with the new National Living Wage and the impacts that it might have on businesses”, said Sue Robinson, director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK.
In April 2017 a new apprenticeship levy will be introduced with the purpose of increasing the quality and number of apprenticeships across UK. Employers with a wage-bill of less than £3 million will not pay the levy, whereas those with a wage-bill of £3 million or more will have to contribute at a rate of 0.5 per cent of their pay bill. However, the first £3 million of the payroll will be excluded by a discount that will give some relief, in line with smaller businesses.
“It is encouraging to see that new car registrations were up an impressive 5.3 per cent in March following demand for the new 16-plate change” said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s new car registration figures.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
