Sales of ULEV’s surge past 10,000 mark
2015-06-05 17:40:13
Figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show a steady 2.4% growth in the UK new car market, accompanied by a strong surge in demand for ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).
11,842 ULEVs were registered between January and May – a four-fold rise on the 2,838 registrations in the same period last year. The growth is further evidence of UK car buyers’ increasing awareness of the significant benefits of driving a ULEV, as they look to reduce their running costs and environmental impact. Motorists can now choose from a diverse range of around 20 ULEVs, compared to just six in 2011.
The rise in overall new car registrations, meanwhile, marks the 39th consecutive month of growth in the market. More than one million cars have been registered in 2015 as a range of new products and attractive finance deals with low interest rates continue to draw buyers to showrooms. With many purchases on a three-year replacement cycle, new cars bought as the recession ended are now being replaced.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, told EcoCars4Sale: "The remarkable growth in demand for plug-in vehicles is expected to continue as the range of ultra-low emission vehicles on sale increases. Meanwhile, we anticipate a natural levelling out of the overall new car market throughout the remainder of 2015.”
Alternatively-fuelled vehicle (AFV) registrations Ultra-low emission vehicle registrations
– January-May – January-May
*An ultra-low emission vehicle (ULEV) is a vehicle which produces 75g or less of CO2 per kilometre from the tailpipe. Currently all ULEVs are plug-in vehicles.
May Total Diesel Petrol AFV Private Fleet Business
2015 198,706 97,084 96,597 5,025 91,841 100,599 6,266
2014 194,032 99,580 91,008 3,444 90,708 96,240 7,084
change +2.4% -2.5% +6.1% +45.9% +1.2% +4.5% -11.5%
Mkt share 2015 48.9% 48.6% 2.5% 46.2% 50.6% 3.2%
Mkt share 2014 53.1% 46.9% 1.8% 46.7% 49.6% 3.7%
YTD
May Total Diesel Petrol AFV Private Fleet Business
2015 1,119,072 541,345 546,898 30,823 528,732 549,022 41,318
2014 1,058,974 525,462 514,335 19,177 522,098 491,232 45,644
change +5.7% +3.0% +6.3% +60.7% +1.3% +11.8% -6.5%
Mkt share 2015 48.4% 48.9% 2.8% 47.2% 49.1 % 3.7%
Mkt share 2014 49.6% 48.6% 1.8% 49.3% 46.4% 4.3%
Best Sellers
May YTD
1, Ford Fiesta 9,349 1, Ford Fiesta 59,447
2, Ford Focus 7,355 2, Vauxhall Corsa 40,447
3, Vauxhall Corsa 6,513 3, Ford Focus 35,989
4, VW Golf 5,897 4, VW Golf 30,686
5, Vauxhall Astra 4,916 5, Nissan Qashqai 27,361
6, Mini 4,095 6, Vauxhall Astra 23,538
7, VW Polo 4,028 7, VW Polo 23,523
8, Audi A3 3,999 8, Audi A3 22,338
9, Nissan Qashqai 3,978 9, Mercedes-Benz C Class 20,726
10, Nissan Juke 3,897 10, Fiat 500 18,449
New car registrations – rolling-year totals, May 2007 to present
This article was prepared by our car news team First4Auto
Reported By
Andrew Merritt-Morling
Chief Editor
Associate Member of the Guild of Motoring Writers