- 2003 market forecast revised upwards to 2.45million units
- 4×4 registrations up 10.4 per cent in April, taking 5.7 per cent of the market
- Superminis take 35.3 per cent of the April market, up from 32.7 per cent in 2002
- April 2003 new car market slows seven per cent to 194,312 units
Commenting on the new car registrations data, SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘Following two best-ever years, the market was expected to cool in 2003 but with year-to-date registrations down only 2.6 per cent, the year-end forecast is now expected to reach 2.45 million units, up 50,000 on earlier estimates. The record March figure has been balanced in April to bring the market back on track with industry estimates.’
Notes to editors
- New car registrations in the UK are now expected to reach 2.45 million units in 2003, up 50,000 units from the initial January outlook. This will make 2003 the third highest total on record. In 2002 registrations hit 2,563,631 units and 2,458,769 in 2001.
- The bi-annual plate change system was introduced in 1999 when April registrations reached 183,047 units. In 2000 registrations were 168,200, 179,996 in 2001 and 208,976 units in 2002.
- Since the bi-annual plate change was introduced, the March market has gone from 370,060 in 1999, 401,972 units in 2000, 408,024 units in 2001 and 423,727 units in 2002 to 438,075 units in 2003.
- Diesel penetration is expected to reach 29 per cent of overall sales in 2003, or 710,000 units.
April 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.
