Tag Archives: car sales

October Sees Fall In New Car Sales

The motor trade industry has been going through a tough period for quite a long time so it is disappointing to hear that the number of new cars sold here in the UK in October 2019 has fallen for yet another month.

In October 2019, the number of new cars registered amounted to 143,251. In the same month last year, the figure was 153,599. That is a reduction of 10,348 equating to a drop of 6.7%. The sale of new cars for the private sector dropped by 13.2% from 69,225 to 60,083 in October 2019, new fleet car sales saw a minimal rise of 0.3% from 79,703 to 79,912 and the sale of new cars for the business sector dropped significantly by 30.3% from 4,671 to 3,256.

It will probably not be a surprise to read that the sale of new diesel cars dropped by 28.3% from 48,381 in October 2018 to 34,666 in October 2019. New petrol car registrations also dropped by 3.2% from 92,348 to 89,371. Interestingly, the market share for registrations for new alternatively fuelled vehicles in October 2019 was 9.9% compared to 6.9% for the same month last year.

When you look at the figures for the year to date to October 2019, it is also disappointing. Total new car registrations were 2,005,522 compared to 2,064,419 for the same period to October last year with this being a drop of 58,897- a fall of 2.9%.

The top 3 selling new cars in October 2019 were the Ford Fiesta – 5,138, Nissan Qashqai – 4,084 and the Volkswagen Golf – 3,976. The top 3 selling new cars on a year to date basis to October 2019 were the Ford Fiesta – 69,702, Volkswagen Golf – 50,468 and the Ford Focus – 49,517.

Whilst writing, it is worth noting that the number of used cars sold here in the UK for the third quarter of 2019 was 2,076,382 compared to 2,057,457 for the same period last year – an increase of 18,925 equating to a rise of 0.9%. On a year to date basis to 30th September 2019 the number of second hand cars sold was 6,130,762 whereas for the same period last year the figure was 6,182,547 – a drop of 51,785 equating to a fall of 0.8%.

The top 3 selling used cars in the third quarter of 2019 were the Ford Fiesta – 90,428, Vauxhall Corsa – 77,101 and the Ford Focus – 75,093.

The above figures can be found on the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) website.

If you are looking to insure a new or used car, whether it be for the first time or your existing cover is shortly due for renewal, why not get in touch with a friendly, knowledgeable member of our team here at AIB Insurance on 02380 268 351 who will be pleased to discuss your requirements and obtain a no-obligation, competitive quotation from our extensive, closely vetted panel of insurers.