Top 10: UK car sales 2018

173,470 fewer new cars were registered in the UK during 2018 versus 2017, according to figures just published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Such a serious decline raises one key question: does it signify a downward trend that could continue into 2019 and beyond, or are volumes merely returning to the annual levels typically seen before the 2007-2008 economic crisis?

SMMT New Car Registrations 2002 - 2018

Diesel’s share continued to plummet, thanks to uncertainty about future taxation policies, threats of local usage restrictions and the increased availability of efficient petrol and hybrid alternatives.

However, using that as a sole excuse for the overall drop in sales would be disingenuous, even if anecdotally some diesel owners are delaying their vehicle replacements until legislators provide more clarity.

Total UK Car Registrations 2018 - By Fuel Type
Fuel 2018 2017 Change Change %
Diesel 750,165 1,065,879 -315,714 -29.6%
Petrol 1,475,712 1,354,917 +120,795 +8.9%
Alternative 141,270 119,821 +21,449 +17.9%
Total 2,367,147 2,540,617 -173,470 -6.8%

Total UK Car Registrations 2018 - By Category
Category 2018 2017 Change Change %
Private 1,052,202 1,123,860 -71,658 -6.4%
Fleet 1,222,849 1,319,193 -96,344 -7.3%
Business 92,096 97,564 -5,468 -5.6%
Total 2,367,147 2,540,617 -173,470 -6.8%
Fleet + Business 1,314,945 1,416,757 -101,812 -7.2%

Despite all of the upheavals experienced throughout the year, the top ten manufacturer table ended up looking virtually identical to 2017’s.

Every brand on the list suffered a registrations reduction, though. The three most severely affected were Nissan (-48,519), Ford (-33,314) and Audi (-31,243). In fact, without their combined shortfall of 113,076 units, the total market would have contracted by only 2.4%.

Top 10: Total UK Car Registrations 2018 - By Manufacturer
Position 2018 Manufacturer Registrations Market Share Position 2017
1 Ford 254,082 10.7% 1
2 Volkswagen 203,133 8.6% 2
3 Vauxhall 177,298 7.5% 3
4 Mercedes-Benz 172,238 7.3% 4
5 BMW 172,048 7.3% 5
6 Audi 143,739 6.1% 6
7 Nissan 102,637 4.3% 7
8 Toyota 101,922 4.3% 8
9 Kia 95,764 4.1% 10
10 Hyundai 89,925 3.8% 9

Similarly, the individual model league held few surprises. The Ford Fiesta’s seemingly eternal lead actually extended, while the Vauxhall Corsa rose from fifth to third spot.

Two new entries – the Ford Kuga and Kia Sportage – emphasised the growing popularity of compact SUVs. They displaced the Vauxhall Astra (which was in sixth position last year) and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

Top 10: Total UK Car Registrations 2018 - By Model
Position Model Registrations Market Share
1 Ford Fiesta 95,892 4.1%
2 Volkswagen Golf 64,829 2.7%
3 Vauxhall Corsa 52,915 2.2%
4 Nissan Qashqai 50,546 2.1%
5 Ford Focus 50,492 2.1%
6 Volkswagen Polo 45,149 1.9%
7 Mini Hatch 44,904 1.9%
8 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 43,527 1.8%
9 Ford Kuga 40,398 1.7%
10 Kia Sportage 35,567 1.5%

Related posts:
Top 10: UK car sales 2018 - winners and losers
Top 10: UK car sales 2017 - winners and losers
Top 10: UK car sales 2017

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts:

Saab 9-3 Aero Carlsson

Image
Saab has got experience of producing special editions in honour of rally driver Erik Carlsson, having previously named versions of the 900 and 9000 after him during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Now it has decided to do it again, this time to mark the fiftieth anniversary of the Swedish driver’s first win in Britain’s RAC Rally, which was achieved at the wheel of a Saab 96. Thankfully, the company has resisted the urge to just bung some fancy alloys and a few other extra bits onto something like a mid-range diesel model. Instead, it appears to have resurrected the limited edition Turbo X from a couple of years ago, as the new edition similarly features a turbocharged 2.8 litre petrol V6, Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system and a six-speed automatic gearbox. The result is the 9-3 Aero Carlsson saloon, which turns out to be a very rapid car. With 276 bhp (205 kW / 280 PS) and a healthy 400 Nm of torque, the 0-60 mph (96 km/h) dash takes just 6.9 seconds. But it’s in the mid-range t...
Read more

American spec Fiat 500

Image
Fiat has released the first details and images of the North American specification 500. The tiny city car will be available in Pop, Lounge and Sport trim levels, and is distinguished from the European version by its more aggressive front and rear bumpers, bigger grille and flared sills. Another unique feature is the engine. Fiat has decided to use the 1.4 MultiAir unit currently found in models such as the Fiat Punto Evo and Alfa Romeo MiTo. Perhaps it felt that using the forthcoming two-cylinder TwinAir in the American 500 would have been too much for markets there to take? There’s no word yet on what power output the MultiAir will have, although in its current applications it comes with either 103 bhp (77 kW / 105 PS), 133 bhp (99 kW / 135 PS) or 167 bhp (125 kW / 170 PS). Similarly, prices have yet to be confirmed, but hopefully both details will have been sorted out by the time the order book for the 500 hatch opens later this year. For convertible fans, the 500C is due ...
Read more

i10 N Line versus the Up! GTI

Image
Hyundai has confirmed specifications and pricing for its sporty i10 N Line. This new variant – which arrives at dealers later this month – benefits from some cosmetic tweaks, unique suspension components and a more powerful 1.0 litre T-GDi turbocharged petrol engine.
Read more