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Highest month ever for the UK new car market

NFDA 05/04/2017

“The first quarter of 2017 has seen a record number of 820,016 new cars registered, a 6.2% increase on 2016. Going forward, following record results, a stabilisation in the market is expected”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle dealers across the UK.

New passenger car registrations rose by 8.4% in March, with a total of 562,337 units. This is the highest number of new cars registered in a single month in the UK. Positively, both fleet registrations and private registrations grew, respectively by 12.6% and 4.4%. Alternative fuel vehicles sales saw an increase of 31.0%, petrol was up 13.2% and diesel 1.6%.

Robinson continued, “As a result of the registration plate change, March has historically been a good month for new vehicle sales and this year is no different with 562,337 new vehicles registered. This, combined with new VED rates, which came into effect on 1 April and prompted buyers to bring their purchases forward into March, have also helped the market throughout the month.
“The positive momentum seen in the alternative fuel segment is encouraging,

ut the Government should continue to actively support consumers who are willing to switch to greener cars. The small growth of diesel in March shows that there still appears to be a market for cleaner and modern diesel vehicles in the UK.”
 

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NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the RMI

The Retail Motor Industry represents the interests of operators in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man providing sales and services to motorists and businesses. The RMI has a formal association with the independent Scottish Motor Trade Association which represents the retail motor industry in Scotland.