IHS: 2015 car registrations show gains across brands and segments
Following SMMT’s release of record 2015 UK car registration figures, market analysts at IHS have offered commented on the brand and model trends the numbers reveal.
Following SMMT’s release of record 2015 UK car registration figures, market analysts at IHS have offered commented on the brand and model trends the numbers reveal.
UK new car registration figures for December 2015 released by the SMMT show a remarkable 8.4 per cent increase on the same period last year and, when combined with the previous 11 months of data, reflect an overall market improvement of 6.3 percent for 2015 over 2014.
Annual registrations of new cars in the UK grew for the fourth consecutive year in 2015 and exceeded 2.6 million units for the first time. Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the market has posted increases in all bar one of the past 46 months, and a bumper December – up 8.4 per cent and the biggest ever – saw 180,077 new cars registered.
SMMT figures reveal that that it was a similar story of recovery for commercial vehicles, as registrations of commercial vehicles rose 13.9 per cent in November to 33,303 units. As with cars, this sales growth followed a dip in October.
Van registrations posted a 9.6 per cent rise in the month, continuing the general trend seen over the past few years with businesses having grown in confidence and online deliveries surging in popularity.
While November saw a rise in car sales, SMMT figures show that it was far from a good month for the VW Group in the UK: Volkswagen sales in Britain tumbled in November with new car registrations of VW-branded models falling 20 per cent year-on-year in the wake of the diesel emissions rigging scandal.
The latest car registration figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that the market is levelling off, after a 1 per cent drop in October 2015 figures. 177,664 new cars were registered in the month, down 1.1 per cent on last year’s figure, following 43 consecutive months of growth.
European passenger car registrations continued their growth phase with another strong monthly rise in September. According to ACEA (European Automobile Manufacturer’s Association) figures, growth was up 9.8 per cent year-on-year to 1,356,868 units.
According to Glass’s, publishers of the motor trade bible Guide, a falsely buoyant picture is likely to be painted by September’s new plate change – despite the probability that it will show the 42nd consecutive monthly increase in new car registrations. Glass’s add that the situation is being complicated by record levels of pre-registrations and there are some worrying factors about to come into play.
UK CV registrations rose 3.7 per cent in July, with strong truck demand outweighing a small drop in vans, according to SMMT figures.
The year-to-date performance for the overall market remained positive, with 2015 registrations up 19.3 per cent. One factor is the operators’ continued drive for maximum efficiency, which was reflected in surging demand for heavier vans and trucks.
Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), show that new car registrations saw steady growth in July – the 41st consecutive month of increases. 178,420 cars were registered – an uplift of 3.2 per cent on the same month last year – while registrations in 2015 so far have risen 6.5 per cent to surpass 1.5 million.
Figures released by ACEA show that, in June 2015, demand for new passenger cars in the EU was up (+14.6 per cent), pursuing the upward trend commenced 22 months ago and marking the largest over-the-month increase since December 2009.
Figures from the Motor Cycle Industry Association show that, in June, registrations of scooters and mopeds were down -7.8 per cent compared with June 2014, at 846 units. However, June motorcycle registrations were up 21.6 per cent year on year at 12,282 units. Overall, two-wheeler sales in June 2015 rose 19.2 per cent.
The year to date registration figures are encouraging too, with the sector showing sales over the first six months of 60,965 machines; a 12.9 per cent rise over the first half of 2014.
Matching the record-setting pace of car registrations in the country, June registration figures of 35,742 vans and 4,568 trucks helped commercial vehicle registrations reach record half-year total of 209,515, says the SMMT.
Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that registrations of new cars in the UK grew 7.0 per cent in the first half of 2015 to the highest half-year total on record.
Figures for new truck vehicle registrations have revealed 2014 has been a “predictably slow year” as the market continues to feel the effects of the introduction of Euro 6 legislation, according to UK managing director for Continental, David Smith.
Smith, who in 2013 was promoted into a wider European market management role, which now includes Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland, was speaking at Continental’s annual market trends briefing on 5 December. During his presentation he described the results for 2014 as “unsurprising”, due in part to the rush to register Euro 5 models before the legislative cut-off dates. Year-to-date figures released by the SMMT have shown that total registrations for trucks in 2014 are down by nine per cent, with bus and coach registrations also down this year, by three per cent.
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