Top 10: UK car sales Q3 2015

Figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show that 462,517 new cars were registered in the UK last month. Helped by a switch to the ‘65’ number plate age identifier, it was the highest ever September total.

As a result, year-to-date registrations now stand at 2,096,886. This number represents an increase of 138,690 units (or 7.1%) compared to the same period in 2014.

The furore caused by rigged emissions testing emerged too late in the month to seriously affect diesel’s market share. That said, the gradual move towards petrol-powered, electric and hybrid cars did continue.

Fuel Diesel Petrol Alternative
2015 YTD 47.9% 49.4% 2.7%
2014 YTD 49.8% 48.3% 1.9%
Change -1.9% +1.1% +0.8%

Of course, it’s also far too early to determine what the impact will be on Volkswagen Group’s sales performance. The Golf remains the fourth most popular model, while the Polo and Audi A3 still occupy places in the top ten league table.

Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion TSI 5-Door (2015) Front Side
The fourth quarter of 2015 should see demand shift further from diesel models
to petrol-powered alternatives such as the Volkswagen Golf BlueMotion TSI.

Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Registrations Q3 2015
Position Manufacturer Model Registrations
1 Ford Fiesta 108,054
2 Vauxhall Corsa 72,835
3 Ford Focus 69,053
4 Volkswagen Golf 59,200
5 Nissan Qashqai 49,715
6 Volkswagen Polo 45,537
7 Vauxhall Astra 42,687
8 Audi A3 38,253
9 Mini Hatch 35,679
10 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 35,505

Related posts:
Top 10: UK car sales Q2 2015
Why buying a diesel car might not be wise
Top 10: UK car sales 2014 - winners and losers

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