Top 10: UK car sales Q1 2017
New car registrations for the first quarter were up by 6.2% year-on-year, thanks mainly to a record-breaking March performance.
The change to ‘17’ number plates will have undoubtedly fuelled some of that growth. However, there was also a last-minute rush to avoid the revised Vehicle Excise Duty rates which were introduced on the 1st of April.
Those tax changes have particularly affected more expensive cars. Accordingly, data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that some of the highest Q1 increases were recorded by premium brands.
They include Aston Martin (up 135%), Bentley (up 27%), Jaguar (up 51%), Land Rover (up 23%), Maserati (up 96%), Mercedes-Benz (up 16%) and Porsche (up 12%).
There were a few notable exceptions, though. For example, Audi’s volume hardly rose, while Lexus sales fell by 10%.
Another key conclusion from the statistics concerns fuel type. Specifically, customers are gradually realising that diesel might not be suitable for them.
Indeed, its year-to-date market share was 44%, down from 47% in 2016. The corresponding figures for petrol and alternative (i.e. hybrids and electric) were 52% (up from 50%) and 4% (up from 3%) respectively.
The Ford Fiesta is still the country’s most popular model by a huge margin. Clearly, buyers don’t seem bothered that an all-new replacement version is due imminently.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the top ten league table concerns second place. This spot is usually taken by the Vauxhall Corsa, so Ford must be very pleased that the Focus nabbed the runner-up position.
Related posts:
Top 10: UK car sales 2016 - winners and losers
Top 10: New cars due in 2017
The change to ‘17’ number plates will have undoubtedly fuelled some of that growth. However, there was also a last-minute rush to avoid the revised Vehicle Excise Duty rates which were introduced on the 1st of April.
Those tax changes have particularly affected more expensive cars. Accordingly, data published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders shows that some of the highest Q1 increases were recorded by premium brands.
They include Aston Martin (up 135%), Bentley (up 27%), Jaguar (up 51%), Land Rover (up 23%), Maserati (up 96%), Mercedes-Benz (up 16%) and Porsche (up 12%).
 |
| Land Rover achieved strong gains in Q1 2017, |
| helped by the launch of the fifth-generation Discovery. |
There were a few notable exceptions, though. For example, Audi’s volume hardly rose, while Lexus sales fell by 10%.
Another key conclusion from the statistics concerns fuel type. Specifically, customers are gradually realising that diesel might not be suitable for them.
Indeed, its year-to-date market share was 44%, down from 47% in 2016. The corresponding figures for petrol and alternative (i.e. hybrids and electric) were 52% (up from 50%) and 4% (up from 3%) respectively.
| Cumulative UK Car Registrations Q1 2017 - By Fuel Type | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel | 2017 | 2016 | Change | Change % |
| Diesel | 360,022 | 363,485 | -3,463 | -1.0% |
| Petrol | 426,589 | 382,588 | +44,001 | +11.5% |
| Alternative | 33,405 | 25,707 | +7,698 | +29.9% |
| Total | 820,016 | 771,780 | +48,236 | +6.2% |
The Ford Fiesta is still the country’s most popular model by a huge margin. Clearly, buyers don’t seem bothered that an all-new replacement version is due imminently.
Perhaps the biggest surprise in the top ten league table concerns second place. This spot is usually taken by the Vauxhall Corsa, so Ford must be very pleased that the Focus nabbed the runner-up position.
| Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Registrations Q1 2017 - By Model | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Model | Registrations | Market Share |
| 1 | Ford Fiesta | 38,205 | 4.7% |
| 2 | Ford Focus | 23,886 | 2.9% |
| 3 | Vauxhall Corsa | 21,305 | 2.6% |
| 4 | Volkswagen Golf | 19,223 | 2.3% |
| 5 | Nissan Qashqai | 19,071 | 2.3% |
| 6 | Vauxhall Astra | 17,915 | 2.2% |
| 7 | Mercedes-Benz C-Class | 15,461 | 1.9% |
| 8 | Volkswagen Polo | 15,453 | 1.9% |
| 9 | Mini Hatch | 12,973 | 1.6% |
| 10 | Nissan Juke | 12,935 | 1.6% |
Related posts:
Top 10: UK car sales 2016 - winners and losers
Top 10: New cars due in 2017
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