Mixed fortunes in January CV sales
Figures from the SMMT reveal something of a mixed bag for sales of commercial vehicles in January. Compared to January 2011, van registrations fell by 16.4 per cent, to 14,338.
Figures from the SMMT reveal something of a mixed bag for sales of commercial vehicles in January. Compared to January 2011, van registrations fell by 16.4 per cent, to 14,338.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has released its annual report; 2011 figures show that the UK’s car manufacturing sector rose 5.8 per cent on 2010’s full year. Meanwhile commercial vehicle manufacturing fell by 1.4 per cent to 121,312 in 2011. In December figures, car output rose 1.6 per cent, which CV figures were down 2.7 per cent. UK engine production rose by 4.9 per cent to 2,504,054 in 2011, despite a 1.3 per cent decline in December.
Luton-based Vauxhall Commercial vehicles sold more vans at retail in 2011 than any other manufacturer, says the SMMT. Van sales during the year totalled 11,436 – a 25.05 per cent rise over the previous 12 months. To put this in perspective, the market grew by 8.32 per cent.
Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reveal that, in 2011, there were 260,153 registrations of vans up to 3.5 tonnes; 16.7 per cent up on 2010.
Truck registrations were boosted by a buoyant sales month in December, with registrations for the month up 45 per cent year on year. For two-axle rigid vehicles above 6 tonnes, growth rates ranged from 30 to 90 per cent across the various weight segments. Previously, these sectors had lagged behind artic and multi-axle sales. Taking the year as a whole, truck registrations rose by 24.6 per cent.
The car industry reported that new car registrations fell 4.4 per cent in 2011, with new car demand totalling 1,941,253 units in 2011. That said the total was ahead of the 1.92 million forecast. The SMMT, which collates national registration statistics projected that 2012 will be “broadly flat.” Nevertheless a firmer recovery expected in 2013.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ new headquarters in London’s Great Peter Street is hosting a display to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the firm Robert Bosch, which began life in Germany in 1886 under the company name ‘Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering’ (Werkstätte für Feinmechanik und Elektrotechnik). Bosch says both the vehicles on display and the choice of venue have “particular significance” for the company.
According to the latest vehicle registration figures, the Volkswagen Golf remains Europe’s best-selling car despite a sales decrease of 2.5 per cent in October compared to a year earlier (its sales also fell 1.8 per cent measured year-to-date). The Volkswagen Polo, with sales up by 1.2 per cent in October, regained second place while the Ford Fiesta claimed third, selling 26,553 vehicles.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has hailed September’s 7.4 per cent growth in vehicle manufacturing as showing that a positive trend is developing in the sector in the UK. Car manufacturing rose by 7.5 per cent in the month, making the first three-quarters of 2011 up 4.8 per cent over 2010’s. Commercial vehicle output rose by 6.2 per cent in September, but is still down 2.7 per cent over the January-September period.
With some meteorologists forecasting the UK's third harsh winter in succession, car manufacturers and tyre companies are widely advocating the fitting of winter tyres.
The SMMT, and the journalists the association invited to a recent media event, have come out in support of using winter tyres. “Tyres can have a major effect on a car’s performance, improving its safety and keeping it moving in winter conditions,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive. “Winter tyres provide greater grip and handling, reducing braking distances in cold, wet conditions as well as on snow and ice. With temperatures starting to drop and the wetter seasons approaching, motorists should make sure they have the best tyres for the road and climate conditions.”
"Commercial vehicle sales remain strong with around 23 per cent growth in August. Whilst economic uncertainty is ever present, truck and van sales are retaining their strength with all sectors in the market performing better than 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.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that the UK has seen the monthly new car market rise for the first time in over a year. August new registrations rose by 7.3 per cent to 59,346 units, representing the first monthly rise since June 2010. The rise was mainly the result of increased private demand, up 10.7 per cent, though fleet business also grew 4.5 per cent. The main car size to benefit was the ever-popular Supermini segment, which rose by 17.6 per cent to account for 37.3 per cent of the August market. Outlook for the rest of 2011 remained “challenging” according to the society.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has revealed that car manufacturing rose 1.3 per cent in July and is up 3.7 per cent over the first seven months of 2011. Commercial vehicle output has not been able to match the upwards creep of car manufacturing, with a decline of 5.9 per cent in July, down 5.1 per cent over the January-July period. UK engine production is stable, dipping just 0.4 per cent in July and up 4.0 per cent for the year-to-date. Vehicle production in the UK is less fragile than much of the UK economy thanks to strong exports.
Research by The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders SMMT shows that the average new car emits 15 per cent less CO2 than five years ago. The data also shows that Greater London and the North West saw a fall in the number of registered cars over the last five years. Meanwhile the figures highlighted that proportionally Plymouth has the fewest low-carbon cars, while Leeds is the pinkest town in the UK.
The Commercial Vehicle Show LLP has announced plan for another full CV Show to be held at the NEC, Birmingham, from 24-26 April 2012. The announcement follows positive feedback from the 2011 CV Show which attracted over 16,000 people. The CV Show LLP also announced the appointment of Crystal Communications to manage the organisation of the Show, including sales, marketing and operations.
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