UK New Car Registrations Up 2.5% in 2007
New car registrations in the UK were the sixth highest on record in 2007. During the year registrations rose 2.5 per cent to 2,404,007 units, surpassing the forecast figure by 90,000 units. Of this, diesel vehicles accounted for a record 40.2 per cent, at 967,436 units an increase of 7.66 per cent over 2006 figures. Also higher last year were registrations of supermini and small family cars, up 17,729 and 25,084 units respectively.
“Last year, demand for new cars was stronger than many had predicted,” said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) CEO Paul Everitt. “There is little sign that the US credit crisis or rising fuel prices have affected demand and we foresee only limited changes through 2008. The UK economy currently remains resilient and the new car market is ultra-competitive.”