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