- Diesel registrations boost market, rising to a record 29.7 per cent share in October
- Year-to-date registrations up 0.3 per cent to 2,254,539 units
- Private buyers fuel new car market
- October new car market dipped 1.4 per cent to 181,589 units
Commenting on the new car registrations data, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘October registrations are stable in what has been a phenomenal year for the new car market. Diesel volumes are stronger than ever and are heading towards a record breaking 2003. The supermini segment has also shown outstanding results with nine months of positive growth.
‘These records are underlined by private buyers, taking nearly 50 per cent of the market so far this year. However, with the expected rise in interest rates, we are likely to see the market ease over the next few months.’
Notes to editors
1. New car registrations in the UK are expected to reach 2.565 million units in 2003, 165,000 units up on the initial January outlook. This will make 2003 the highest annual market on record. In 2002 registrations reached 2,563,631 units and 2,458,769 in 2001.
2. Diesel market penetration in October was the highest on record, at 29.7 per cent, up from 26.7 per cent in October 2002 and 21.7 per cent in October 2001. Diesel penetration for 2003 is expected to reach a record high of 27 per cent.
3. Full year private registrations are expected to be the highest since 1990 at around 1.25 million units.
October 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.
