New data from Dataforce has found that registrations in the UK’s true fleet car market have declined for a fifth month in a row, falling by 2.9% in the year to date, down by 10% in August alone. The entire market, whilst recording 76,000 registrations in total, was down by 6.4%.
Special channels recorded undesired growth of 20.9% with OEMs and dealerships growing their registrations by almost two-fifths (38.8%) to the highest ever volumes in August.
Two vehicle manufacturers appeared to buck the trend at true fleet OEM level, achieving growth rates of more than 20%. Ford were ranked first, with British manufacturer, Vauxhall in second position. Volkswagen moved into third place with a 27% increase, swapping places with Mercedes-Benz who slipped down to fifth.
Audi cemented their fourth position for a fourth successive year, with BMW and Nissan ranked in sixth and seventh position respectively. Toyota, in tenth place, experienced the best growth with 29.7% more registrations.
The UK’s overall new car market was down 9.3% in September, with the SMMT blaming uncertainty regarding the future of diesel cars and reduced consumer confidence.
Mike Hawes, chief executive, SMMT, said: “September is always a barometer of the health of the UK new car market so this decline will cause considerable concern.
“Business and political uncertainty is reducing buyer confidence, with consumers and businesses more likely to delay big ticket purchases.
“The confusion surrounding air quality plans has not helped, but consumers should be reassured that all the new diesel and petrol models on the market will not face any bans or additional charges.
“Manufacturers’ scrappage schemes are proving popular and such schemes are to be encouraged given fleet renewal is the best way to address environmental issues in our towns and cities.”
