The number of new cars sold in the UK in 2009 was just 6.4% down on the previous year. After an horrific year that slumped by a quarter in the first half, sales bounced back thanks to the scrappage scheme and the Government’s cut in VAT.
In total, 1,994,999 cars were registered as new last year – the lowest level since 1995. That could have been even worse without the scrappage incentive that lopped at least £2000 off the price of a new car. The scheme has accounted for one in five new cars sold since its introduction in May 2009.
Top 10 cars sold in 2009
1 Ford Fiesta, 117,296
2 Ford Focus, 93,517
3 Vauxhall Corsa, 84,478
4 Vauxhall Astra, 67,729
5 VW Golf, 57,187
6 Peugeot 207, 48,037
7 Mini, 39,866
8 BMW 3-series, 39,029
9 Vauxhall Insignia, 36,040
10 Ford Mondeo, 34,418
The pain is far from over
Just because sales have bounced back in the second half of 2009, don’t assume that the crisis in the car industry is over. Far from it. With the scrappage scheme running out in February 2010 and VAT now back at 17.5%, the industry is actually forecasting lower sales in 2010 than in 2009.
Chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, Paul Everitt, said: ‘Another tough year awaits the UK motor industry in 2010, with new car registrations expected to be below 2009 levels and only limited recovery in the van and heavy commercial vehicle markets. Sustaining the progress made in the latter part of 2009 will require stronger demand from fleet and business buyers, alongside the greater availability and affordability of credit and finance.’
Pub ammo: the shape of UK new car sales in 2009
• Average new-car CO2 fell 5% to 150g/km
• Diesel share 42%
• Petrol share 58%
• Alternative fuel share 0.8%
• Private sales 51%
• Company car sales 49%
Winners & losers: how the car manufacturers fared
| |
| |
|
Results |
| MARQUE |
2009 SALES |
SHARE |
% CHANGE 09 vs 08
|
| Abarth |
1381 |
0.07% |
+1281% |
| Alfa Romeo |
9067 |
0.45% |
+52% |
| Aston Martin |
1183 |
0.06% |
-24% |
| Audi |
91172 |
4.57% |
-10% |
| Bentley |
761 |
0.04% |
-51% |
| BMW |
98,683 |
4.95% |
-13% |
| Cadillac |
177 |
0.01% |
+4% |
| Chevrolet |
18,660 |
0.94% |
+2% |
| Chrysler |
2692 |
0.13% |
-52% |
| Citroen |
72,450 |
3.63% |
-11% |
| Corvette |
36 |
0.00% |
+177% |
| Daihatsu |
2306 |
0.12% |
-52% |
| Daimler |
18 |
0.00% |
-46% |
| Dodge |
2672 |
0.13% |
-32% |
| Fiat |
60,337 |
3.02% |
+9% |
| Ford |
316,369 |
15.86% |
-2% |
| Honda |
74,819 |
3.75% |
-11% |
| Hummer |
46 |
0.00% |
-74% |
| Hyundai |
56,726 |
2.84% |
+102% |
| Infiniti |
45 |
0.00% |
0.00% |
| Jaguar |
18,234 |
0.91% |
-10% |
| Jeep |
2502 |
0.13% |
-38% |
| Kia |
50,637 |
2.54% |
+62% |
| Land Rover |
29,185 |
1.46% |
-10% |
| Lexus |
7266 |
0.36% |
-28% |
| Lotus |
485 |
0.02% |
-25% |
| Mazda |
47,934 |
2.40% |
-4% |
| Mercedes-Benz |
72,281 |
3.62% |
-4% |
| MG |
374 |
0.02% |
+181% |
| Mini |
39,866 |
2.00% |
-2% |
| Mitsubishi |
11,074 |
0.56% |
-29% |
| Nissan |
77,924 |
3.91% |
+18% |
| Opel |
193 |
0.01% |
0.00% |
| Perodua |
650 |
0.03% |
+4% |
| Peugeot |
102,574 |
5.14% |
-14% |
| Porsche |
5280 |
0.26% |
-11% |
| Proton |
960 |
0.05% |
-37% |
| Renault |
63,174 |
3.17% |
-30% |
| Saab |
7486 |
0.38% |
-53% |
| Seat |
29,987 |
1.50% |
+2% |
| Skoda |
37,253 |
1.87% |
+0.4% |
| Smart |
8363 |
0.42% |
+11% |
| Ssangyong |
787 |
0.04% |
+25% |
| Subaru |
3730 |
0.19% |
-20% |
| Suzuki |
28,539 |
1.43% |
+9% |
| Toyota |
102,612 |
5.14% |
-3% |
| Vauxhall |
237,840 |
11.92% |
-20% |
| Volkswagen |
161,137 |
8.08% |
-10% |
| Volvo |
34,857 |
1.75% |
+5% |
| Other British |
902 |
0.05% |
-9% |
| Other Imports |
1313 |
0.07% |
-35% |
| Total |
1,994,999 |
100.00% |
-6.42% |
|
| |
Source: SMMT
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