- New car registrations up 1.3 per cent for the year-to-date to 1,564,199 units
- Following a record month in 2003, new car registrations fell 4.6 per cent in July
- Diesel registrations match highest ever monthly level with 32.5 per cent of total market
Commenting on the new car registrations data, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘With increasing availability across all vehicle types, diesels are driving forward in 2004. Rising fuel prices, advanced diesel technology and lower CO2 emissions make diesels attractive to consumers. SMMT has increased its forecast for the diesel market share to 33 per cent this year and 36 per cent in 2005.
‘Total new car registrations remain up over the year-to-date due to a fiercely competitive market and some excellent new models. Record registrations in July 2003 set a challenging target for this month, but we expect consumers to remain confident and deliver another strong year for new car registrations.’
July 2004
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 SMMT is acknowledged as the source of this information, the figures may be quoted. Substantial reproduction needs specific approval by SMMT.
Notes to editors
1.July new car registrations in 2003 were at a record 196,762 units. Registrations in July 2004 are 5.7 per cent above the 1999-2003 average level at 187,632 units.
2.New car registrations in the UK reached a record 2,579,050 units in 2003, up from 2,563,631 units in 2002 and 2,458,769 units in 2001.
For full press release and tables, please click on the link below
