04 October 2019

September new car registrations rose just 1.3% against the same month last year which itself was down more than 20% due to incoming WLTP regulations.

The total registrations for the first 69-plate month hit 343,255 units.

September 2018’s 20.5% drop meant the SMMT was expecting to see a rise in new car registrations for last month.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “September’s modest growth belies the ongoing downward trend we’ve seen over the past 30 months. We expected to see a more significant increase in September, similar to those seen in France, Germany, Italy and Spain, given the negative effect WLTP had on all European markets last year. Instead, consumer confidence is being undermined by political and economic uncertainty.

“We need to restore stability to the market which means avoiding a ‘no deal’ Brexit and, moreover, agreeing a future relationship with the EU that avoids tariffs and barriers that could increase prices and reduce buyer choice.”

While again new emissions standards did come into play at the end of August, it is understood this did not impact vehicle supply as it did last year.

The 2019 year-to-date registration total is now running down 2.5% on 2018.

Tags: New car registrations, SMMT