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.
“With the winter weather approaching we expect to see demand for motorcycles at a yearly low, however it is encouraging to see that sales in November were up 14.5 per cent compared to 2013”, said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
In total 5,795 bikes were registered in November – an increase of 734 more units more than November 2013.
Registrations of commercial vehicles grew 4.2 per cent in November, with a year-to-date increase of 13.1 per cent, says the SMMT. Growth was again fuelled by the van market, which rose 17.1 per cent to 26,516 units in the month. Meanwhile, truck registrations declined 49.6 per cent to 2,729 units in the aftermath of new Type Approval legislation.
SMMT Figures show that new car registrations grew for the 33rd consecutive month in November, up 8.0 per cent to 172,327 units. 2,310,237 cars have been registered in the year-to-date; a rise of 9.4 per cent and ahead of the 2013 full-year total. Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “Six months after the record was broken […]
Whatever their impact on recent political manoeuvring, white vans are more popular than ever. Indeed 57 per cent of van drivers choose the colour white, according to the latest data published by Direct Line for Business following a government Freedom of Information request (FoI). According to the data, the number of Light Goods Vehicles (LGVs) on our roads has increased by over 700,000 (26 per cent) since 2003 to 3.35 million. There are also more vans on our roads than ever before, with the number of registered LGVs in Britain increasing by over 700,000 (26 per cent) since 2003 to 3.3 million in 2013.
The pace of Toyota’s worldwide hybrid vehicle sales continues to accelerate with a further million units added in just nine months, taking the cumulative total through the seven-million mark.
Toyota’s hybrid range continues to grow, with 28 different passenger car models (including the Prius Plug-in hybrid) currently sold in more than 90 countries and regions. The new model strategy for 2014-2015 features 15 new hybrids, including in the UK the new Lexus NX 300h crossover and RC 300h coupe. In the future more new models and markets will be added.
Leading vehicle remarketing company, British Car Auctions (BCA), is reporting record average values for commercial vehicles in August 2014. Following news from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) that new car sales continue to rise, this new data illustrates that confidence is equally strong in the commercial sector as Duncan Ward BCA’s General Manager – Commercial Vehicles explained:
Following the SMMT’s publication of new car registration figures for August 2014, the National Franchised Dealers Association has predicted that September, and the newly introduced 64-plate, will bring further increases.
Traditionally a fallow month ahead of the introduction of new plates, August has continued the trend of new car registration growth in the UK. Announcing the figures, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders revealed that 72,163 new cars were registered in August, a 9.4 per cent rise on August 2013 and the 30th consecutive month of growth. Anticipation is now growing for September, usually a far busier month on the back of the plate change.
July registrations figures show that 172,907 new cars were registered in July, according to the SMMT, a rise of 6.6 per cent and the 29th consecutive month of growth. Economic confidence and attractive finance are said to have driven the rejuvenated market up 10.1 per cent year-to-date to 1,460,172 units. As a result of the faster-than-expected first half growth, the SMMT has upped its 2014 market forecast to 2.45 million registrations, up 8.1 per cent on 2013.
Figures from European motoring organisation ACEA reveal that, in June, the EU market of new commercial vehicles expanded for the tenth consecutive month. Demand increased by 10.3 per cent, totalling 166,107 units. Growth prevailed in the van segment, as well as that of buses and coaches, while the truck segment declined. All major markets expanded, from 3.8 per cent in France to 6.5 per cent in Germany, 8.6 per cent in Italy, 18.9 per cent in Spain and 25.5 per cent in the UK.
“June marked another good month for the motorcycle market with sales up 6.3 per cent,” said Stephen Latham, Head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
Commenting on the SMMT’s van and truck registration figures for June, Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association which represents commercial vehicle and franchised car retailers across the UK, said: “June has been a good turning point in the year for the commercial vehicle market, and we have seen a modest improvement in overall sales figures”.
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