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4th Aug 2017

Cars losing, vans stable EV winning – Latest SMMT July Figures out

We have the latest statistics for July registrations out and the main headlines as follows:

  • Cars down 9.3% YoY with 161k new vehicle registrations

So, what’s driving this, economy, changing patterns or the dreaded Brexit factor.

Any other trends of note:

  • Business buyers led the drop down 23.8%, fleet next with 10.1% and private 6.8%, across the board by the look of it.
  • Only bright spark was the Alternative fuels up 64.9%, but remember this is a low base, but it is starting to grow.
  • Petrol down 3% versus Diesel down 20%, looks like the negative press on diesels may be taking effect.
  • If we look at the AF vehicles in more detail, we can see the Plug in pure electric is leading the way with a 105% YoY increase as opposed to hybrids at 76.8% for petrol whilst diesels are down 46%.

On a year to date basis comparing 17 versus 16, the market is down 2.2% much like the SMMT forecast for the year, however August will be interesting to see if the decline increases or not. Diesels at -11% Ytd decline means it could be accelerating, so let’s see what happens in due course and will there may be some pre-registration discounts coming forward.

In the commercial sector, vans less than 3.5t continue to grow at 1.1% YoY. Vans 2.0t to 2.5t leading the way up 41% whilst all other segments were in fact down.

On a year to date basis Vans are down 3.1% however so is July just a blip or are we going to see a gradual decline, let’s watch this space.

For more information follow the link to the SMMT site which can be accessed here.

SMMT Registrations July 2017

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