UK car sales decrease 12.2% to 158,192 units in October

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) release dated on November 6, UK car sales decreased 12.2% to 158,192 units in October 2017.
Year-to-date sales decreased 4.6%, with 2,224,603 cars registered in the first ten months of 2017.
October sales for Ford decreased 8.6% to 19,580 units (12.4% market share) and Volkswagen sales decreased 1.9% to 13,756 units (8.7% share), while Audi sales decreased 6.5% to 13,699 units (8.7% share).
Mercedes-Benz sales in October increased 7.1% to 12,136 units (7.7% share) and BMW sales decreased 18.4% to 11,056 units (7.0% share).
Of the five most popular vehicles in October, 7,256 Ford Fiestas; 5,547 Volkswagen Golfs; 4,503 Ford Focuses; 3,923 Nissan Qashqais; and 3,390 Mercedes-Benz A classes were sold.
Compared to last October, gasoline-engine car sales increased by 2.7% to 87,599 units (55.4% share), diesel-engine car sales decreased 29.9% to 62,349 units (39.4% share), and alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) sales increased 36.9% to 8,244 units (5.2% share).
In October, private car sales decreased 10.1% to 69,937 units (44.2% share), fleet sales decreased 13.0% to 83,931 units (53.1% share), and sales to businesses decreased 26.8% to 4,324 units (2.7% share).
Sales of all vans to 3.5 tons decreased 7.4% this October to 24,968 units.
Sales of trucks between 3.5 and 6.0 tons decreased 34.6% to 450 units in October.
Sales of taxis were 108 units in October.
Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT said "Declining business and consumer confidence is undoubtedly affecting demand in the new car market but this is being compounded by confusion over government policy on diesel. Consumers need urgent reassurance that the latest, low emission diesel cars on sale will not face any bans, charges or other restrictions, anywhere in the UK. We urge the Government to use the forthcoming Autumn Budget to restore stability to the market, encouraging the purchase of the latest low emission vehicles as fleet renewal is the fastest and most effective way of addressing air quality concerns."

(SMMT press releases from November 6, 2017) 1 / 2