Wednesday 7th January 2009

December Car Sales Figures Released

At last... some better news

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Focus remains top seller

New car sales in December dropped less than expected according to latest figures from the SMMT, while a BCA report on used car prices suggests residual values may also be steadying.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders figures show new car registrations in December fell 21.2% to 108,691 units, a smaller monthly fall than the 35% that had been predicted – possibly due to the VAT reduction.

That brings the full year sales total to 2,131,795 units in 2008, down 11.3% from the year before.

The SMMT figures also show that diesel market share reached an all time high of 43.6 percent, while average CO2 emissions fell by a record 4.2% to an average of 158.0g/km.

2008’s top sellers:

1)      Ford Focus – 101,593
2)      Vauxhall Corsa – 99,574
3)      Ford Fiesta – 94,989
4)      Vauxhall Astra – 90,641
5)      VW Golf – 65,029
6)      Peugeot 207 – 53,462
7)      BMW 3 Series – 49,384
8)      Ford Mondeo – 44,150
9)      Vauxhall Zafira – 43,169
10)  Vauxhall Vectra – 42,555

In the used car sector BCA says average values improved slightly for the second month running in December, but are well behind the levels of one year ago.

[skid]

Pre registrations!!!!!!!!!!!

It's just manufacturers clearing them off one funding plan onto another. Was going to happen at year end for obvious reasons.

I'm afraid it's short term 'good news' that's going to add to the rest of years bad news.

[lightweight]

you are such a cynic ;-)
but your not wrong

[skid]

I just don't swallow the spin anymore.

It's just like Gordon the Moron announcing recently 100,000 more jobs as bringing forward capital expenditure, and currently touring some busineeses promising an 'army of apprentices marching through the door'.

All vacuous nonsense and nothing will happen. Car sales will continue to fall, jobs will continue to go.

Hang on tight brother, it's going to be a rough ride.

[varsas]

Vectra did well last year then, considering it was replaced in July-ish time.

[Frimley111R]

Amusing that the 3 series is the 7th most common car. So much for wanting one for aspirational reasons. A Mondeo is less common FFS!

[Kieran XJR]

Interesting to see the 3 series out selling the Mondeo and Vectra.

[dave8]

Looks like whitewash..lots of cars registered to get year end manufacturers bonus..

[Foundy]

I don't know where they get the idea that residuals may be firming... currently can't get traders to bid sensibly on anything!!

[simonrockman]

And a 21% drop is "good news"?

I guess after November's 38%, but as the article says there will be an effect of people in November waiting until December for the VAT drop. That would put January between the two.

Simon.

[Crow555]

A friend of mine works for a Mazda dealership here in Northern Ireland. He's said that business has picked up because of the new Euro rate and new taxation policies in the south of Ireland. People from the south are coming up, buying new cars and bringing them home.

[Callan.T89]

Why the hell do people buy so many Peugeot 207's???????????????

[ArranAshman]

I work for a BMW dealership in used car sales and can say that I have not really noticed a downturn in sales. Yes our profit margin has been reduced by an aggressive pricing policy but we are still making a profit. Our figures for the last two months were up on the same time last year in units alone. Cars are still selling strong even the big metel stuff, x5's in particular. It has a lot to do with price, but there are still alot of people wanting to upgrade their cars.

[contar]

ArranAshman said:

I work for a BMW dealership in used car sales and can say that I have not really noticed a downturn in sales. Yes our profit margin has been reduced by an aggressive pricing policy but we are still making a profit.

You heard it here from someone at a dealership. Early 2008 models and all thoose before were overpriced...

[Foundy]

ArranAshman said:

I work for a BMW dealership in used car sales and can say that I have not really noticed a downturn in sales. Yes our profit margin has been reduced by an aggressive pricing policy but we are still making a profit. Our figures for the last two months were up on the same time last year in units alone. Cars are still selling strong even the big metel stuff, x5's in particular. It has a lot to do with price, but there are still alot of people wanting to upgrade their cars.

Also work for BMW, and I know how aggressive your group policy is. I will agree that sales are still strong but it is the fact that they are priced so low. The problem lies with the p/ex. How many people with 1-3 year old cars are currently in negative equity??? There are a lot of people who want to upgrade (and have been used to it) that now can't.

[infradig]

Heard about someone buying a Range Rover Sport Supercharger recently. On handing over the keys the dealer says 'Congratulations,thats only the eighth Sport we've sold since the 58 plate came in in September'.'That's not bad,it's only a small dealership' replys our money burning hero- 'No, not just us. The whole of the UK!'states the desparate Land Rover-monger.

[poing]

Callan.T89 said:

Why the hell do people buy so many Peugeot 207's???????????????

That was my first thought when I saw the list too !

[aardtech]

poing said:

Callan.T89 said:

Why the hell do people buy so many Peugeot 207's???????????????

That was my first thought when I saw the list too !

I own a 207 1.4D, a BMW 118d and a 997 C2S. Have to say I think the 207 is brilliant - comfy, quiet (for a diesel), super-light steering, a breeze in town and 60mpg. Maybe that's why?

[andy-w]

Sounds like a fair bit of pony to me...i work for a company that makes seats for most of the UK car manufacturers and we are down on production by more than 40%...and that covers BMW, Vauxhall, Toyota, Nissa and Land Rover...in fact some of our plants have not been producing for more than 4 weeks now...hopefully it will pick up soon...

[S2 Giles]

I work in the trade but will generalise....

BMW are not suffering, you need to take off the rose specs !!!!

I agree Used vehicle sales are strong at the moment and are counteracting the downturn of new sales. Also there are huge regional differences, some areas suffering far more than others.

Luckily i work for a brand that has a good range of vehicles from 5995 to 40,000. As you can guess we are selling tons of 5995 and no 40,000 stuff

Those premium brands are suffering the most. Bentley were the first one to go bust in my region

All that said, its a case of holding on until September. If you can manage your business well & react by cutting costs then all will be ok

[andy-w]

S2 Giles said:

I work in the trade but will generalise....

BMW are not suffering, you need to take off the rose specs !!!!

I agree Used vehicle sales are strong at the moment and are counteracting the downturn of new sales. Also there are huge regional differences, some areas suffering far more than others.

Luckily i work for a brand that has a good range of vehicles from 5995 to 40,000. As you can guess we are selling tons of 5995 and no 40,000 stuff

Those premium brands are suffering the most. Bentley were the first one to go bust in my region

All that said, its a case of holding on until September. If you can manage your business well & react by cutting costs then all will be ok

wonder why the plant that makes the BMW mini is not making anything then if BMW are not suffering???

Cant speak for other BMW plants in europ but then i am only talking about UK plants

and why do i have rose specs on...?

Edited by andy-w on Wednesday 7th January 23:10