Top 10: UK car sales 2017

In absolute terms, 2017 wasn’t a bad year for new car registrations in the UK. Sure, the overall total was down compared to 2015 and 2016, but that was almost bound to happen.

As the graph below from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders illustrates, the downturn that followed the 2007-2008 financial crisis created a lot of pent-up demand which was largely satisfied over the past couple of years. Arguably, 2017’s figure of circa 2.5 million units can be regarded as a return to normal.

SMMT New Car Registrations 2001 - 2017

Trying to blame any reduction on public uncertainty about future diesel taxation or usage restrictions is rather misleading, too. The market contraction would have happened anyway.

Nevertheless, consumer behaviour is altering radically.

Diesel’s registration share dropped from 47.7% in 2016 to 42.0% in 2017, which undoubtedly reflects better purchasing decisions. While diesel cars remain entirely suitable for some motorists, for many others the available petrol, hybrid or pure electric alternatives will make more financial sense.

Hopefully, people are no longer choosing a diesel engine without due consideration (especially those who drive modest mileages in mostly urban environments).

Total UK Car Registrations 2017 - By Fuel Type
Fuel 2017 2016 Change Change %
Diesel 1,065,879 1,285,188 -219,309 -17.1%
Petrol 1,354,917 1,318,707 +36,210 +2.7%
Alternative 119,821 88,891 +30,930 +34.8%
Total 2,540,617 2,692,786 -152,169 -5.7%

Total UK Car Registrations 2017 - By Category
Category 2017 2016 Change Change %
Private 1,123,860 1,206,250 -82,390 -6.8%
Fleet 1,319,193 1,380,750 -61,557 -4.5%
Business 97,564 105,786 -8,222 -7.8%
Total 2,540,617 2,692,786 -152,169 -5.7%
Fleet + Business 1,416,757 1,486,536 -69,779 -4.7%

Ford remains the UK’s most popular manufacturer, although its year-on-year market share slipped from 11.8% to 11.3%. Dieselgate has clearly been forgiven already, because Volkswagen managed to snatch the runner-up position from Vauxhall.

Lower down the table, Mercedes-Benz leapfrogged BMW and Audi to finish in fourth place, removing any semblance of exclusivity from the brand in the process. Things didn’t go so well for Peugeot, as the French marque was replaced in the top ten by Kia.

Top 10: Total UK Car Registrations 2017 - By Manufacturer
Position 2017 Manufacturer Registrations Market Share Position 2016
1 Ford 287,396 11.3% 1
2 Volkswagen 208,462 8.2% 3
3 Vauxhall 195,137 7.7% 2
4 Mercedes-Benz 180,970 7.1% 6
5 BMW 175,101 6.9% 4
6 Audi 174,982 6.9% 5
7 Nissan 151,156 5.9% 7
8 Toyota 101,985 4.0% 9
9 Hyundai 93,403 3.7% 10
10 Kia 93,222 3.7% 11

Of course, the Ford Fiesta continued to dominate the individual model chart. By contrast, the Vauxhall Corsa fell from second to fifth spot.

Top 10: Total UK Car Registrations 2017 - By Model
Position Model Registrations Market Share
1 Ford Fiesta 94,533 3.7%
2 Volkswagen Golf 74,605 2.9%
3 Ford Focus 69,903 2.8%
4 Nissan Qashqai 64,216 2.5%
5 Vauxhall Corsa 52,772 2.1%
6 Vauxhall Astra 49,370 1.9%
7 Volkswagen Polo 47,855 1.9%
8 Mini Hatch 47,669 1.9%
9 Mercedes-Benz C-Class 45,912 1.8%
10 Mercedes-Benz A-Class 43,717 1.7%

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

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