The new car market showed signs of stability in the first month of 2012, with a total of 128,853 new car registrations in January, according to the analysis by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
That total was 42 cars more than January 2011’s total of 128,811 and represents a scant 0.03 per cent year-on-year rise.
But with the global economy still taking a battering, that stable market performance was a positive sign, according to the SMMT’s chief executive, Paul Everitt.
“The January new car market held firm with 128,853 registrations, marginally up on January 2011, a welcome sign of stability in uncertain economic times,” he said.
One of the key themes of January’s sales was the continuing increase in sales of diesels and alternatively fuelled vehicles.
Diesel’s market share grew from 50.5 per cent in January 2011 to 53.7 per cent this year, as motorists sought improved fuel efficiency, while registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles rose by 17.7 per cent in the month.
Although alternatively fuelled vehicles still only account for 1.6 per cent of total new car registrations, the sector has enjoyed healthy growth over the past three months, helped by new vehicles hitting the market.
“2012 is set to be an exciting year with record numbers of new models coming to market filled with innovative technology that will save the motorist fuel, enhance comfort and further increase levels of safety and security,” said Everitt. “However, to maintain market stability, government must act decisively and deliver much needed confidence to businesses and consumers.”
The first month of the year traditionally accounts for about seven per cent of the year’s car sales, with the market preparing itself for a bumper March, when the ‘12’ plate registrations will start.
The SMMT predicts that the new car market is expected to remain stable in 2012, dipping just one per cent to 1.92 million units in 2012, before recovering in 2013.
The Ford Fiesta maintained its position as the UK’s best-selling car, racking up 7824 sales during January.
January 2012’s best sellers
1 Ford Fiesta 7824 units sold
2 Ford Focus 5643
3 VW Golf 3992
4 Vauxhall Corsa 3624
5 Vauxhall Astra 3340
6 VW Polo 2898
7 Vauxhall Insignia 2719
8 Nissan Qashqai 2627
9 Audi A3 2380
10 Peugeot 207 2364
