The introduction of the new ‘12-plate’ registration next month should see around 350,000 new cars registered during March according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
March is traditionally the biggest month for new car sales in the UK, followed by the other plate-change month in September, and the expected figures released by the SMMT would equate to a figure in the region of £5 billion worth of sales, with around £1 billion going to the Treasury in the form of VAT.
"More than 350,000 vehicles will be registered in the month with private motorists and business buyers capitalising on the ever increasing levels of fuel efficiency, safety, comfort and practicality of today's vehicles", said SMMT Chief Executive Paul Everitt.
The current choice of models for sale on the UK market is one of the widest ever, and in announcing the projected sales figures the SMMT also pointed to some of the considerations it expects potential car buyers to be taking into account over the next month.
For example, rising prices ensure fuel efficiency is more critical than ever, and the average new car on offer on the UK market has an official fuel economy figure in excess of 50mpg, and average CO2 emissions of 138g/km.
Safety and security considerations are also a key factor. In 2011, 77% of new cars tested received the top five-star rating from independent testers Euro NCAP, and in the past decade road fatalities have fallen nearly 50%. In the same period vehicle thefts have fallen by almost 70%, along with an over 50% reduction in thefts from vehicles.
Digital Radio is the current 'must have' in terms of equipment, with over one-fifth of new cars already featuring this as standard ahead of the 2015 switchover. Alternative fuelling has seen recent growth, and this is certain to continue with a greater range of hybrid, electric, and biofuel models available than ever before. In the SMMT's figures for last March the supermini sector saw the most sales, and they also predict that Silver and Blue coloured cars will account for the majority of March registrations this time around.
