- Demand for new buses and coaches declines in Q3, down -14.2%.
- Minibuses, single-decks and double-decks all experience falls, with 1,996 total units registered.
- Year-to-date registrations fall -11.7% to 5,978 units.
Registrations of new buses and coaches fell -14.2% in the third quarter of 2017, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Demand in the market declined for the third time this year, with 1,996 units registered in the period.
Double-deck demand fell by -24.4% between July and September after a prolonged period of double-digit growth.1 Meanwhile, minibuses and single-decks also experienced declines, down -11.1% and -13.6% respectively.
Year-to-date figures show overall registrations of buses and coaches in the first nine months of 2017 were down -11.7%.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,
After a sustained period of significant spending by UK bus and coach fleets, the market is now experiencing considerable decline. To encourage future long-term investment, operators must have both economic and regulatory certainty. This is especially important given the need to encourage the uptake of low emission Euro VI diesels, hybrids and zero emission electric buses, which represent the fastest way to improve air quality in our towns and cities.
