Registrations Hit 2 million for 2016 with the New 66 Plate Driving Sales

Published Date: 12th Oct 2016

UK Registrations topped 2 million for the year to date, the new 66 Plate has been a huge success and has achieved increased registrations year on year.

• Fleet Sales were mainly responsible for the Record high as they rose 7.3 %
• Increasing demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles and diesels with registrations up  32.6% and 2.8% respectively
• A total of 469,696 new cars were registered in 66 Plate September – a slight rise of 1.6% and the highest September since records began.
• Year-to-date total registrations grow 2.6%, with more than 2 million units registered so far this year.

 

Our UK new car market remained in good form for September 2016 with an increase of 1.6%, according to data published by the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). 469,696 new cars were registered on the new 66 Plate, as buyers flocked in their numbers to get a new car in September.

It will be recorded as the most successful September on record, while the total number of cars registered so far this year also grew to 2,150,495 units – up 2.6% compared with the same period last year. It is only the second time that the two million mark has been passed in September since 2004.1

Fleet registrations continued to drive growth, up 7.3%, while registrations to private motorists experienced a small decline, down -1.7% to 223,844 units in the month. Meanwhile, diesel registrations rose 2.8% as petrol’s declined -1.1%. Alternatively fuelled vehicles continued to outpace the market, up 32.6% against the same month last year with a market share of 3.4%.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, had this to say -

“September is always one of the biggest months for Britain’s new car market. The new 66-plate, combined with a diverse range of exciting new models featuring the latest technology, has certainly helped draw buyers into showrooms and many are taking full advantage of the attractive deals and low interest financing options on offer. Business and consumers place September orders many months in advance, so the ability of the market to maintain this record level of demand will depend on the ability of government to overcome political uncertainty and safeguard the conditions that underpin consumer appetite.”

Ford continued its domination of the UK car market with the Ford Fiesta coming top of the best-selling car list and the Focus in a solid 4th place. The Fiesta and Focus were aided by the release of the new ST-line trim levels, offering low emissions with class leading fuel efficiency at a sensible price. The Vauxhall Corsa held its ground in 2nd place while the VW Golf made it to 3rd and subsequently pushed the Ford Focus down to 4th position.

This September saw the release of the New 66 Plate and with it a total of 2,150,495 registrations to set a new record for the month and also the 1st time registrations have topped 2 million in September. Many Sector experts saw Brexit as a big hurdle and foresaw a decline in the UK automotive sector but it seems that they were very wrong in their presumptions as growth has continued with no signs of slowing down.