UK car sales decrease 6.4% to 76,433 units in August

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) on September 5, UK car sales decreased 6.4% to 76,433 units in August 2017.
Year-to-date sales decreased 2.4%, with 1,640,241 cars registered in the first eight months of 2017.
August sales for Ford decreased 21.1% to 9,234 units (12.1% market share) and Volkswagen sales increased 21.6% to 6,923 units (9.1% share), while Vauxhall sales decreased 22.2% to 6,678 units (8.7% share).
Audi sales in August increased 1.7% to 6,301 units (8.2% share) and Mercedes-Benz sales increased 1.9% to 4,738 units (6.2% share).
Of the five most popular vehicles in August, 2,279 Volkswagen Golfs; 2,236 Ford Fiestas; 2,063 Vauxhall Mokka Xs; 1,995 Ford Focuses; and 1,834 Volkswagen Polos were sold.
Compared to last August, gasoline-engine car sales increased by 3.8% to 42,160 units (55.2% share), diesel-engine car sales decreased 21.3% to 30,305 units (39.6% share), and alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) sales increased 58.3% to 3,968 units (5.2% share).
In August, private car sales decreased 9.9% to 33,597 units (44.0% share), fleet sales decreased 3.2% to 41,899 units (54.8% share), and sales to businesses decreased 14.1% to 937 units (1.2% share).
Sales of all vans to 3.5 tons increased 1.5% this August to 15,619 units.
Sales of trucks between 3.5 and 6.0 tons increased 15.4% to 404 units in August.
Sales of taxis were 26 units in August.
Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT said "August is typically a quiet month for the new car market as consumers and businesses delay purchases until the arrival of the new number plate in September. With the new 67-plate now available and a range of new models in showrooms, we anticipate the continuation of what are historically high levels of demand."

(SMMT press releases from September 5, 2017) 1 / 2