Fleet demand up as new car registrations enjoy 10% growth
RISE: Production up for 16th straight month
Fleet and business demand has helped new car registrations grow by 10% in the first half of 2013.
New car registrations passed the one million mark in June, as well as enjoying a 16th successive rise – growing 13.4% to 214,957 units.
Overall, 1,163,623 new cars have been registered between January and last month, with private demand increasing the most (up 17.1%).
Private demand also rocketed 21.3% in June.
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) figures also show Q2 volume rose 13% – the strongest quarterly rise since Q3 of 2011.
Mike Baunton, Interim Chief Executive of the SMMT, said: “Boosted by consistently strong private demand and further growth in June, half-year new car registrations have topped the one million mark.
“June secured the 16thmonth of consecutive growth, a clear indicator that manufacturers and dealers are delivering desirable new products with tangible cost savings from the latest fuel-efficient technology coupled to a wide variety of competitive finance offers.
“While there are still potential challenges ahead, recent robust growth suggests that the market is on course to perform well ahead of 2012 levels.”
Statistics also showed motorists switching to more fuel-efficient cars have helped reduce average new car CO2 emissions to 129.1g/km, down 3.7%.
MPVs showed the largest vehicle type growth in June, up by more than a quarter, but volume growth in the supermini and mini segments has also been strong.
The supermini Ford Fiesta remains the bestselling model in both the month and year-to-date, while petrol-powered car registrations also climbed.
With the recession still plaguing most of the continent, the UK new car market is one of few growing in the Eurozone.
Image courtesy of Ben Sutherland, with thanks.
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