New car market remains steady | Industry - Car News Mar 2017

15:07 Monday 06 Mar 2017

February sales figures showed the UK new car market remained steady.

As expected, the demand from private buyers dropped off as they hung on for the number plate change in March, but a 3.3% rise in fleet sales countered this.

The figures released by the Society of Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed 83,115 new vehicles were registered last month, a nominal fall of just -0.3% over February 2016.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “February is traditionally one of the quietest months of the year and a steady performance was expected following another year of record growth in 2016. We expect to see the market bounce back in March as buyers take advantage of the new 17-plate, as well as the last chance to buy a car eligible for current lower VED rates before they change on 1 April.”

Alternative fuelled vehicles saw the biggest rise in sales, up by 48.9%, but the fall from grace of diesel power continued unabated with sales plunging by 9.2%. The Ford Fiesta remained the UK’s most popular new car with 4,282 registered last month, well ahead of its closest rival the Volkswagen Golf on 2,949.