June was a good month for new bus and coach (>3.5 tonnes) registrations, which increased by 16.5 per cent, boosted by the good performance recorded in the UK (+97.9 per cent), Germany (+39.0 per cent) and France (+24.5 per cent). The Spanish (-15.4 per cent) and Italian (-21.5 per cent) markets declined.
Across the EU, demand for new trucks (3.5 tonnes to 16 tonnes, excluding buses and coaches) was down 4.1 per cent in June, with 25,459 new registrations in the EU. However the UK bucked this general trend.
In June, new commercial vehicle registrations dropped for the fifth consecutive month, falling by 5.8 per cent compared to June last year, as a total of 157,232 units were recorded in the EU. Italy (-29.8 per cent) and Spain (-28.7 per cent) faced a double-digit downturn, while France (-0.8 per cent) and the UK (+0.2 per cent) remained relatively stable. Germany was the only major market to post growth (+8.8 per cent).
Passenger car registrations increased slightly during the first six months of this year, reports the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA). The organisation, which represents the interests of eighteen European vehicle manufacturers, says UK registrations were up 2.7 per cent year-on-year to 1,057,680 units, growth that bucked the Europe-wide decline. A 6.8 per cent decrease in passenger car registrations was recorded in the EU27 and EFTA region, with 6,644,829 units registered.
"It is very encouraging that new car sales increased again in June with a boost to private registrations of 9.8 per cent said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI 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, which show month on month sales were up 3.5 per cent compared to June last year.
The UK van and truck market for June was stable, according to figures from the SMMT, down just 0.4 per cent.
At 22,287 registrations, the van sector was down 2.5 per cent for the month, year on year (-10.1 per cent for the year to date), but truck registrations remained strong and rose 14.7 per cent, with 3,577 registrations during June. Year to date, the truck market has risen 26.0 per cent.
A report from the global business advisory firm AlixPartners says that, while the global automotive industry overall remains a growth industry, the Western European industry is facing the prospect of its second severe market downturn in recent years.
The Royal euphoria surrounding the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations could well spill over to the DVLA Personalised Registrations auction which gets underway at City Hall, London, on Thursday (June 7).
"It is encouraging that new truck and van sales increased in May with the overall market up 10 per cent in comparison to the same month last year” said Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures. Robinson continued "Van sales improved in May, for the first time in 2012, up 6.7 per cent.
In April, new CV registrations fell by 1.2 per cent in France, 1.6 per cent in Germany, 13.3 per cent in the UK, 28.9 per cent in Spain and 38.6 per cent in Italy. Four months into the year, downturn continued its course (-10.1 per cent) as all major markets shrank. France remained the largest market, despite a 4.7 per cent contraction, followed by Germany (-1.2 per cent) and the UK (-9.8 per cent). Spain (-24.1 per cent) and Italy (-36.7 per cent) recorded more severe drops. In total, 589,987 vehicles were registered throughout the period.
The latest new motorcycle and scooter figures show last month sales overall were down 3.5 per cent against April 2011. Under 50cc scooter sales were down 9.6 per cent in April, while over 50cc motorcycle sales have decreased by 2.5 per cent.
Sue Robinson, Director of the RMI National Franchised Dealers Association which represents motorcycle and franchised car retailers across the UK commented "It is disappointing to see motorcycle sales down in April after signs of recovery in the first quarter of 2012.
"The poorest performing sectors were the custom, super sport, touring and trail bikes. With people’s disposable income shrinking, the demand for these larger motorcycles has noticeably dropped, as they are often considered a non-essential purchase.
Following the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association report on passenger car registrations, market research company JATO Dynamic has added its new car sales analysis for the region. The headline figures are declines of 6.1 per cent in April, the lowest monthly decline of the year so far, and 7.1 per cent in year-to-date compared to 2011. Focusing more on the top ten brands, JATO explained that Renault and Opel/Vauxhall experienced the largest fall in sales during April of 16.9 and 16.1 per cent respectively, while Volkswagen maintains top position, ahead of Ford.
The latest motorcycle and scooter registration figures show sales overall were down 3.5 per cent last month compared with April 2011. Under 50cc scooter sales were down the most (9.6%) in April, while over 50cc motorcycle decreased by 2.5 per cent. There was however growth in two segments. Sales of Adventure Sport and 51-125cc Scooter bikes shot up 47.5 per cent and 8.9 per cent respectively.
April 2012 passenger car registrations in the European Union hit ten-year lows according to the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association. There was a decline overall in the Union of 6.9 per cent in comparison with April 2011, itself a decade-long low – a fair comparison, given that there were the same number of working days in each month. The UK and Germany bucked the trend, posting modest growth in April at 3.3 and 2.9 per cent respectively.
Regional car registration figures for the month of April, released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, show a wide variation across the UK. While England, Scotland and Wales showed an increase (the latter posting an impressive gain of 7.37 per cent), registrations in Northern Ireland were down -5.38 per cent.
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