13 September 2010

Considering the heat that dealers are about to face in a shaky market, the SMMT could have chosen a better adjective than ‘cooled’ to describe the August new car market.

And you won’t find much warmth in this month’s sales. They definitely will not be popping-up like hot toast from a toaster. The Society reckons September will be off by 10% compared with the scrappage-induced market this time last year.

Sticking with the SMMT language, minis, superminis and lower medium segments in August were almost frigid. This time, last year, Hyundai dealers were enjoying their part in pushing sales up by 322%. Last month Hyundai sales were down by nearly 60% but year-to-date they are still 47% ahead.
That’s the picture, generally, with the SMMT claiming the year will actually finish just ahead of 2009.

Whether that result will be induced by manufacturers’ incentives, pre-registrations or by forward buying to beat the VAT increase, is yet to be determined. If there are too many VAT-beaters, then the heat will be on manufacturers to deliver before the January deadline. One Mini dealer in Cheshire told me this week that the waiting list for the new Countryman (being launched on 18 September) is already up to 4-months.

By comparison, Jaguar showed in August just how balmy the executive and luxury segments are. Jaguar sales rose 11% in August, making it the  company’s busiest August for two years. Managing director, Geoff Cousins, heralded it as evidence of consumer confidence bouncing back.

Together, Land Rover and Jaguar have recorded a larger sales increase than any other manufacturer so far this year – more than 61%.

Jaguar Land Rover has a fantastic product range and whilst I can understand that global sales are going well, where is the money coming from in the current UK economy to produce such a blazing performance?

Have a great week, both in and out of the showroom. If you have a story for us,
email barry@auto-retail.com
Barry Hook

Tags: decrease, Figues, Scrappage, September sales, SMMT