Carmakers report buoyant sales
New car registrations rocket in the month of June
- Published in News.
The market is up
Automotive industry has proven to be surprisingly resilient
The automotive industry has proved surprisingly resilient, with new car sales rising by 10.8% last month compared to June 2009 and 19.9% during first half of 2010, new figures have revealed.
The impressive figures were bolstered by fleet sales, which rose by a quarter to lift the new car registration tally to 195,226 in June 2010, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said. The market is up despite end of scrappage scheme, but the SMMT said that volumes would slip in the second half of 2010.
Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive, said: “The new car market continued to perform above expectations in June, with fleet sector registrations up 25% compared to this time last year. The results indicate improved business confidence and a strengthening economic recovery.
“The industry still expects challenging economic conditions in the second half of the year and government action to improve access to credit for consumers and businesses will be important in sustaining the momentum of recovery.”
Alternatively fuelled vehicle (AFV) registrations matched their largest ever market share, at 1.2% in June. AFV volumes rose by 157.4% in the month and have grown by over 150% in four of the past six months. The rise in diesel sales helped sustain total market growth. The Nissan Qashqai was the best selling diesel in June.
The Vauxhall Astra was the best selling model in June, its first number one slot since February 2008. Ford’s Fiesta had the highest registrations over the first half of 2010.
