There were over 192,000 car registrations in May 2018, a 3.4% rise over last year’s figures, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The numbers released by the SMMT may show improvement for the month, but still is representative of a 6.8% drop by year on year comparison from January to May. 2017 showed the first drop in year-on-year registrations since 2011, and there would need to be a significant increase in the remainder of this year for the downward registrations trend to reverse.
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Fleet and business registrations were down 7.1% and 16.2% respectively in year-to-date comparison. Ashley Barnett, head of consultancy at Lex Autolease, said: “It’s important to remember that we are also seeing the effects of a natural levelling off in demand following a sustained period of record growth. When the figures are viewed in line with most fleets’ replacement cycles, the picture is more encouraging.”
AFVs showed continued improvements, with a 19.5% year-to-year increase. Hybrid and plug-in cars grew by 36.1% to 11,240 units, accounting for a record 5.8% of the market. Plug-in hybrid cars registrations were up 72.7%, while hybrids rose 22.6% and zero emission battery electrics grew 18.7%. Registrations of petrol cars also increased by 23.5%.
Diesel purchases are down 23.6% in year-on-year. This is the fourteenth consecutive month that registrations on diesel vehicles have declined since an affecting increase in vehicle excise duty in April 2017. Richard Jones, managing director of Black Horse, said: “Confusion over fuel choice continues to cause a fall in sales of new diesels. We’re seeing signs that the public policy debate on emissions and diesel is shifting to recognise the key issue of getting drivers into newer, cleaner cars irrespective of fuel type but we still have a long road ahead.”
Ford continues to hold the largest marque market share, with 21,136 registrations in May making up for 11% of all registrations. The Ford Fiesta and the Ford Focus were the two highest models for the month, with a combined total of 13,469 registrations.
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