Top 10: UK car sales Q2 2017

Although total new car registrations for the first half of 2017 were broadly in line with last year, volumes during the second quarter were down by 10.3%. Such a decline was expected following the introduction of revised Vehicle Excise Duty rates at the beginning of April.

Commenting on the figures, Mike Hawes, Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, said, “As forecast, demand for new cars has started to cool following five consecutive years of solid growth but the numbers are still strong and the first half of the year is the second biggest on record.

“Provided consumer and business confidence holds, we expect demand to remain at a similarly high level over the coming months.” In other words, the industry shouldn't panic just yet.

It's clear that buyers are continuing to think very carefully about fuel type. Diesel's year-to-date market share has dropped from 47.9% in 2016 to 43.8% in 2017, for instance. Petrol accounts for most of the substitution, but the growing alternative category (i.e. hybrids and electric) now represents 4.2% of all registrations.

Cumulative UK Car Registrations Q2 2017 - By Fuel Type
Fuel 2017 2016 Change Change %
Diesel 613,381 680,668 -67,287 -9.9%
Petrol 729,773 693,963 +35,810 +5.2%
Alternative 58,657 46,005 +12,652 +27.5%
Total 1,401,811 1,420,636 -18,825 -1.3%

Even with the inevitable supply disruption caused by the launch of an all-new Fiesta, Ford's supermini remains at the top of the model league table.

However, the most popular car in the month of June was the Volkswagen Golf. That remarkable feat helped to relegate the Vauxhall Corsa to fifth place.

Volkswagen Golf GTE Advance (2017) Front Side
Up to third position: the Volkswagen Golf.

Top 10: Cumulative UK Car Registrations Q2 2017 - By Model
Position Model Registrations Market Share
1 Ford Fiesta 59,380 4.2%
2 Ford Focus 40,045 2.9%
3 Volkswagen Golf 36,703 2.6%
4 Nissan Qashqai 33,574 2.4%
5 Vauxhall Corsa 33,560 2.4%
6 Vauxhall Astra 32,408 2.3%
7 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 27,386 2.0%
8 Volkswagen Polo 27,205 1.9%
9 Mini Hatch 25,582 1.8%
10 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 22,944 1.6%

Related posts:
Top 10: UK car sales Q1 2017
Top 10: UK car sales 2016 - winners and losers

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