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New car market stabilises in November

NFDA 05/12/2018

“The new car market saw a marginal decline in November and remains in line with annual forecasts. Going forward, when short-term challenges are overcome, the market is expected to see the positive impacts”, said Sue Robinson, Director of the National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle retailers in the UK commenting on the latest SMMT’s new passenger car registration figures.

New passenger car registrations declined by -3.0% in November with 158,639 units registered. Year to date, the market is now -6.9% down from last year with 2,223,058 new cars registered. Sales of petrol cars rose by 3.5%, diesel was down -16.7% and alternative fuel vehicles grew by 24.6%. Positively, battery electric vehicles grew by an impressive 69.5% in November.

Robinson continued, “The trend in pure electric and plug-in vehicles sales is encouraging. Consumer appetite is increasing and, as supply improves, we expect electric vehicles’ market share to continue to grow.

“Franchised retailers are fully embracing the latest fuel types as recent joint initiatives between industry and Government demonstrate. Addressing the issues affecting the development of the most modern and efficient forms of transportation and ensuring accurate consumer information are franchised retailers’ priorities in today’s market.

“We look forward to December’s figures which will allow us to understand the full picture of 2018’s new car market”.

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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.