Growth in the UK car market continues in the UK

Sales continue to grow in July, but at a slower rate

Ford Fiesta was the best selling car in July 2015

13 October 2015

The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) has released figures showing that nearly 180,000 new vehicles were registered in July.

That’s up 3.2% on July 2014, with more than 1.5 million sales already in 2015. The recovery, which began in 2012, is now in its 41^st straight month of growth.

The slower rate of growth in July may signal a slow down in the latter part of 2015. So far, top sellers have included superminis, small family cars and the SUV/crossover segment. That segment has grown by more than 88% in the last ten years.

Electric vehicles and hybrids have also increased sales, with a rise of 31% compared to the same month in 2014.

The head of automotive at global business adviser KPMG, John Leech, said: “The strength of the sterling and improving consumer confidence makes the UK car market attractive to vehicle manufacturers, but the recovering Eurozone markets means that we now forecast muted growth in the second half of 2015.

“It seems more likely that the UK market will undershoot the all-time sales record of 2.58m vehicles set in 2003. We now expect sales of 2.56m in 2015.”

UK’s best selling new cars in July 2015

1.) Ford Fiesta - 8,504 units sold

2.) Ford Focus - 7,044

3.) Vauxhall Corsa - 4,886

4.) Volkswagen Golf - 4,880

5.) Nissan Qashqai - 3,789

6.) Audi A3 - 3,731

7.) Volkswagen Polo - 3,620

8.) Fiat 500 - 3,191

9.) Vauxhall Astra - 3,187

10.) Mercedes-Benz C-Class - 2,868

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Growth in the UK car market continues in the UK

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