UK new car registrations grew for the 21st consecutive month in April, rising by a modest 1.0 per cent to reach 134,274 units, according to the latest data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). As a result, this was the market’s best April since 2021, although uptake was still -16.6 per cent below the pre-pandemic level in what is traditionally a low volume month following the March plate change.
Hella has joined the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It is the latest automotive business to become a member of the 800-strong organisation. Hella said it decided to sign up formally because of its work raising awareness on how new technology is changing vehicles, and the wider industry. The SMMT is one of the largest trade bodies for the UK motor industry, representing the sector’s interests with Government and other regulatory authorities. One its most significant activities is its lobbying on behalf of the automotive industry.
After the doldrums of the “COVID years”, new vehicle sales are slowly recovering. The SMMT reports that the UK new car market clocked up its 20th consecutive month of growth in March, with a 10.4% year-on-year rise in registrations, adding 320,000 new cars – the best March since 2019; whilst 53,000 new light commercial vehicles also joined UK roads in March as more fleet owners upgraded to the latest models than in any other month in the last three years – an increase of 11.1%.
More than 50,000 new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) joined UK roads in a bumper March for fleet renewal as more businesses upgraded to the very latest models than in any other month during the past three years. 52,916 new vans, 4x4s and pickups were registered, up 11.1 per cent as Britons increasingly depend on vans for everything from online shopping to local trades. As a result, the van sector in 2024 delivered its best first quarter for three years, with volumes now just -7.7 per cent below Q1 2019.
The UK new car market clocked up its 20th consecutive month of growth in March, with a 10.4 per cent rise in registrations. In what is typically the busiest month of the year due to the new number plate, 317,786 new cars reached the road with a 24 plate – the best March performance since 2019, although still -30.6 per cent below pre-pandemic levels.
UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 2.2 per cent in February to 17,934 units, marking 14 months of consecutive growth, according to the latest figures from the SMMT While February is traditionally a lower volume month, as many operators delay procurement until March for the new numberplate, the increase represents the best February performance since 1998.
The UK new car market has recorded its best February performance for two decades as registrations rose 14.0 per cent to 84,886 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It was the 19th month of consecutive growth, which has primarily been driven by fleets investing in the latest vehicles. Indeed, fleets and businesses were responsible for the entirety of February’s increase, with registrations up 25.2 per cent and 15.5 per cent respectively. Private uptake continued to struggle, with a -2.6 per cent decline to record a 33.7 per cent market share. February is traditionally volatile as the lowest volume month of the year, with buyers often electing to wait until March and the new number plate.
The automotive industry is calling for the UK’s chancellor to use the upcoming Budget to put the UK’s shift to electric vehicles back in the fast lane, with fair taxes for a fairer transition. New research commissioned by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) from Savanta has revealed that rising numbers of would-be EV drivers are now likely to delay their switch to a battery electric car – but a three-point plan of tax reform would recharge the market and accelerate the UK’s progress towards net zero.
UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 8.4 per cent with 23,962 vehicles joining businesses and company fleets across Britain during January, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The increase marks 13 consecutive months of growth and the highest January total since 2021, reflecting the growing role of vans in Britain’s economy, from local trades and deliveries to national retailers.
“2023 proved to be a healthy year for the used car market, seeing four straight quarters of growth and growth of 5.1 per cent on 2022.”, said Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), commenting on the latest SMMT’s used car figures. The UK’s used car market has grown by 6.9 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2023, with 1,679,116 transactions. The year as a whole saw transactions up 5.1 per cent from 2022 to 7,242,692 transactions. Used battery electric vehicles (BEVs) saw an impressive 90.9 per cent growth for a 1.6 per cent market share in 2023 whilst plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) experienced 25.1 per cent growth and hybrids (HEVs) increased by 40.0 per cent.
Britain’s millionth battery electric car (BEV) reached the road in January 2024, while the new car market grew 8.2% for the month, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The first month of the year saw 142,876 new cars registered, the best performance for the month since 2020 and the 18th consecutive month of growth. The increase was driven entirely by the fleet market, which rose by 29.9%, while private retail uptake fell -15.8%. Fleets accounted for 63.2% of new cars registered.
UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 21.0 per cent to reach 341,455 units in 2023, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). More businesses invested in fleet renewal every month compared with the year before – with a record number of zero emission vans joining Britain’s roads.
The UK new car market has recorded its best year since the pandemic as a strong December, up 9.8 per cent, wrapped up the 17th month of consecutive growth. 1.903 million new cars reached the road during 2023 – an increase of 17.9 per cent, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
“It is positive to see both EU and UK markets experiencing consecutive months of growth. However, whilst battery electric vehicles in the UK experienced a -17.1 per cent decrease in November, according to SMMT figures, they increased by 16.3 per cent in the EU.
Britain’s new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew by 12.7 per cent in November as 27,433 vans, pickups and 4x4s joined Britain’s fleets, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The performance is 4.6 per cent above pre-pandemic 2019 levels and represents 11 consecutive months of rising demand, totalling 311,754 units – the largest volume for two years as product availability continues to improve.
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