The new car market rose 3.5% to 189,514 units in June compared
to June 2011, which itself was 2.5% ahead of average June volumes
for the past three years, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders (SMMT) reported today.
Q2 registrations rose by 4.8% compared to Q2 2011, and over the
first half of the year have risen 2.7% to more than 1m units. The
SMMT’s full-year 2012 forecast now stands at 1,950,000 units.
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Private volumes rose 8.7% over the first half of the year,
compared to H1 2011 and picked up in recent months, rising 9.8% in
June over June 2011. Fleet volumes are on a par with last year,
while business demand has fallen.
Alternatively-fuelled car registrations posted a 47.8% rise in
June, compared to June 2011, while diesel volumes also rose,
pushing their market share over the first half of the year up from
50% a year ago to 51.2%.
Improvements in new car fuel efficiency led to
CO2 emissions falling to 134.1g/km
over the first half of 2012, down 4% on a year ago and 2.9%
compared with 2011’s full-year figure of 138.1g/km.
New models helped Mini segment registrations rise 82.5% in June
compared to June 2011. The dual purpose and executive segments also
posted double digit-growth in the month. The Ford Fiesta was the
best-selling model in June and over the first half of 2012.
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By GlobalDataSMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: “Despite domestic and
international economic concerns, UK motorists are responding
positively to new products and the latest fuel-efficient
technology. The industry has performed better than expected in the
first half of the year and we will now need to work hard to sustain
growth.”
