New car 'sales' up over 10% in 2014

New car sales continue to power forward in the UK with the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) reporting registrations up 10 per cent in 2014.

Sales of AFVs – like the Auris Hybrid – have grown over 50%

The story of new car sales in the UK continues on its seemingly ever-upward path, with the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reporting new car registrations in the UK up by over 10 per cent in the first half of 2014.

A total of 1,287,265 new cars have been registered in the UK so far this year (although previous evidence would suggest a good 400,000 of those are dealer pre-reg cars), the highest figure since 2005.

And as Alternatively Fuelled Vehicles (AFVs – those powered by anything other than a single fossil fuel source e.g. hybrids and BEVs) reach maturity sales are rising even more strongly, although they still represent a very small part of the market.

Total AFV sales so far in 2014 have been 23,337 – less than 2 per cent of total sales – but a figure that is up by 51.3 per cent on 2013 and a clear sign that car buyers are now starting to trust AFVs to deliver what they need, a process driven by hybrid powertrains being offered as part of a standard car range rather than as stand alone models.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said:

Improving economic conditions have helped propel the UK new car market to a strong first half-year performance, with registrations up 10.6% on the same period in 2013.
Key to attracting consumers is the ever-improving efficiency of new cars, an important factor that is highlighted by the 51.3% increase in alternatively-fuelled vehicle registrations so far this year. The overall market has risen faster than we were expecting but, after a bumper March, growth is showing signs of stabilising around our forecast level.

Ford continues to lead the sales charts in the UK, with a total of 173,554 new car registrations in 2014, and does so in the June 2014 numbers too with the Ford Fiesta at the top of the table and the Ford Focus in third place, just behind the Vauxhall Corsa.