- September new car registrations climb 1.5 per cent to 439,365 units
- Private registrations surge up 4.1 per cent taking 51 per cent of the market
- Diesel registrations remain steadfast, growing for the 36th successive month
Commenting on the new car registrations data, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘As the outlook for consumer spending remains uncertain, the growth in new car registrations demonstrates the strength of confidence in the UK market.
‘Private buyers accounted for over 50 per cent of registrations in September, snapping up the new ’53’ number plate and taking advantage of great deals offered by franchised dealers. As competition in the UK market intensifies and prices continue to fall, consumers are clearly benefiting and driving the market towards a healthy year-end total’, he continued.
Notes to editors
1. New car registrations in the UK are expected to reach 2.52 million units in 2003, 120,000 units up on the initial January outlook. This will make 2003 the second highest annual market on record. In 2002 registrations reached 2,563,631 units and 2,458,769 in 2001.
2. The September market is the largest single monthly market accounting for around 17 per cent of total annual registrations. 2003 saw the second highest September on record at 439,365 units, up on 2002’s 432,661 units but slightly below 2001’s record 443,265 units.
September 2003
The attached tables show the registration figures for Great Britain, Northern Ireland, The Isle of Man and the Channel Islands in detail. Top performers by range and UK penetration figures are also listed. Providing the SMMT is acknowledged as the source of this information, the figures may be quoted. Substantial reproduction needs specific approval by the SMMT.
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