In the UK, August is traditionally a slow month for sales of new cars, as people hold on for the change of registration plate which happens in September, with only around three per cent of sales during the month. September, by contrast, typically accounts for over 17 per cent of full year registrations.
Shocking new findings show that a third of motorists have driven a car knowing it has no MOT. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) surveyed 1,000 UK motorists and found that, of those that have driven a car without a valid MOT, 67 per cent admitted driving for up to a week before the retest, 24 per cent for up to a month, 7 per cent for up to six months and 2 per cent for more than six months.
SMMT figures show that purpose-built bus and coach registrations fell 20.5 per cent to 263 units in July, while converted bus registrations fell 17.5 per cent to 240 units. Said Wendy Williamson, SMMT Bus and Coach Manager: "The bus and coach sector continues to struggle when compared to last year, with registrations for the market falling 19.1 per cent in the month and down 21.0 per cent for the year-to-date.
New car sales figures for July, released by the SMMT, show month on month sales were up 12.7 per cent compared to July last year. This continuing buoyancy caused the SMMT to revise its forecast for sales for the year as a whole – up from 2.1 million vehicles to 2.2 million. This figure is an 8.4 per cent increase on 2012 sales.
New light commercial vehicle figures show overall sales were down 0.6 per cent in July but up 6.5 per cent year-to-date. Van sales dipped 2.6 per cent last month but remained 9.3 per cent ahead year-to-date. "It is positive to see that the commercial vehicle market remained stable during July, with a healthy increase in the truck sector of 10.3 per cent" said Sue Robinson, Director of the NFDA, commenting on the SMMT's van and truck registration figures.
Car manufacturing in the UK has grown during the first half of 2013, with acceleration to 4.6 per cent coming in the second quarter and a 10.4 per cent rise in June. The SMMT says that while four out of five cars built in the UK are exported, higher output for the home market, up 24.4 per cent, has boosted volumes.
The UK government has agreed to match automotive industry investment of £500 million, resulting in a £1 billion 10 year automotive investment plant designed to secure the growth and development of its vehicle and component manufacturing sector.
This new funding supports multi-billion pound investments announced in the last few years by global automotive companies to boost production levels and develop new technologies and models. And when the term “automotive industry” is used it includes original equipment components such as tyres, with the full report pointing out tyre plants in Northern Ireland and Scotland as the wider British impact the investment programme is likely to have.
There are signs that new car demand is recovering as the SMMT reports that new vehicle registrations broke the million car market in the year to June 2013. This represents growth of some 10 per cent in the first half of 2013 totalling some 1,163,623 units. It was the 16th successive monthly rise in June, with this figure growing 13.4 per cent to 214,957 units.
All sectors grew, but private demand increased the most over the first half of the year, up 17.1 per cent, after a 21.3 per cent rise in June.
Business secretary Vince Cable has appointed Joe Greenwell, the former chairman of Ford, as head of the Automotive Investment Organisation (AIO). Funded with up to £3 million over the next two years, the AIO will spearhead the campaign to attract inward investment to the UK. Continuing to attract investment from overseas into the UK is one of the main themes of the automotive industrial strategy to be published shortly. The automotive sector is one of 11 key areas that the government is working collaboratively with industry on a long-term plan to deliver economic growth and prosperity.
Total CV registrations dipped 4.7 per cent in May to 24,149 units, but market remains up 8.3 per cent for the year-to-date. Van registrations were 3.8 per cent behind May 2012 at 20,503 units; the January-May volumes remain strong; up 13 per cent to 110,136 units. Truck demand fell 9.4 per cent to 3,646 units in the month and declined 14.3 per cent during the first five months of 2013.
In May, private demand for cars in the UK climbed 20.9 per cent, outperforming pre-recession volumes recorded in 2007. However, May's total new car market remains down on 2007 levels. May's new car market secured the 15th successive month of growth and the largest May volume in six years. Registrations have risen 9.3 per cent for the year-to-date to 948,666 units.
The SMMT has announced that Michael Hawes will be joining as its new chief executive in the early Autumn. According to the association, he will lead the executive team that will promote the interests and successes of the UK motor industry and help address the challenges of the current climate. He will also ensure the SMMT delivers stronger representation and engagement with all its stakeholders and help accelerate growth of the two key subsidiary companies: SMMT Industry Forum Limited and Motor Codes Limited.
Total CV registrations increased 30.9 per cent in April to 24,370 units and grew 11.8 per cent during the year so far. Van registrations rose 43 per cent to 20,751 units in the month, and grew 17.6 per cent during the year-to-date.
Truck demand fell 12.1 per cent to 3,619 units in the month and declined 15.5 per cent during the first four months of 2013.
Bus and coach registrations fell 18.4 per cent to 622 units in April, meaning a decline of 17.6 per cent in the first four months of 2013 to 2,559 units. Purpose-built bus and coach registrations dropped 28.9 per cent to 302 units in the month. Converted bus registrations also fell in April, by 5 per cent to 320 units.
SMMT figures show that UK new car registrations rose 14.8 per cent in April to 163,357 units. Registrations in the first four months of 2013 grew 8.9 per cent to 768,555 units. April secured the strongest growth in 14 months as buying cycles and market volatility combined to boost uptake.
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