Plug-in car performance holds steady despite overall registrations falling -24.6%
- 106,265 new cars registered in October, a -24.6% fall on last year and the weakest October since 1991.
- Plug-in vehicles now account for 16.6% of all cars registered so far in 2021.
- Chip shortages and tax rises mean industry expects to finish year on 1.66m units, or only 1.9% ahead of Covid-hit 2020.
New car registrations have fallen for the fourth consecutive month, with a decline of -24.6% to 106,265 units compared to October last year, according to new figures released today from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
UK van market sees marginal decline in October
- LCV market declines by -4.6% in October with 27,420 units registered as semiconductor shortages continue to hamper supply.
- Uptake of both new 4x4s and vans weighing less than or equal to 2.0 tonnes doubled by 114.7% and 100.5% respectively in October.
- New van market up 24.4% over year-to-date but remains -5.2% off five-year pre-pandemic average.
The light commercial vehicle (LCV) market declined marginally by -4.6%, in October, with 27,420 vans registered according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Despite this representing the second consecutive month of decline – albeit not as steep a fall as in September – the sector remains 2.3% up on the five-year pre-pandemic average for the month of October, with 2021 proving to be a strong year for LCV sales to date.
https://www.smmt.co.uk/2021/11/uk-van-market-sees-marginal-decline-in-october/
More plug-in vehicles will hit British roads in 2021 than during the whole of the last decade, according to the latest forecast from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Between 2010 and 2019, a total of 271,962 new BEVs and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) were registered in the UK. This year alone, SMMT says one in six new cars will be zero-emission capable, equivalent to around 287,000 vehicles.
Furthermore, SMMT says uptake rates of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) have accelerated so rapidly that they will outsell conventional diesel and mild-hybrid diesel cars in 2022.
Five new Mini electric cars to be built in Britain: Two family SUVs and next-generation hatchback to be produced in Oxford in big confidence vote for UK
Large SUV based on Urbanaut concept vehicle to become new ‘Clubman’ model
- An electric-only crossover will also be introduced, Mini bosses have confirmed
- First images of new Mini Hatch – though extensively camouflaged – revealed
- ‘Heart of production’ to be retained at Oxford factory and some models to be built in Germany – China factory will produce cars for its domestic market
- Last new Mini model powered by a combustion engine will be launched in 2025
The legendary car manufacturer, owned by BMW, is on course to bring a handful of all-new and new-generation cars to its revamped UK factory in what will be seen as a major confidence vote in post-Brexit Britain.
Bosses said Plant Oxford will remain ‘at the heart of Mini production’ and Britain will continue to be ‘the home of the Mini brand’.
A new large zero-emissions Mini SUV is to join the British car marque’s line-up, it announced today, as it set out its electrified production plans at home and abroad in both Germany and China. The large battery-powered SUV will go into production based on the roomy Urbanaut prototype first revealed last year and shown in physical form at September’s Munich Mobility Show.
It is being developed ‘to meet the wishes of many customers for additional space and comfort and increased variability,’ says Mini.
Expected to be built at Plant Oxford, it is likely to be badged as the next generation Clubman, though the nameplate has traditionally been reserved only for estate versions of the iconic model.
The large battery-powered SUV will go into production based on the roomy Urbanaut prototype first revealed last year and shown in physical form at September’s Munich Mobility Show. While the Urbanaut concept was an MPV, the design is going to be incorporated into a new SUV that will take the Clubman nameplate
Mini says it needs a large SUV ‘to meet the wishes of many customers for additional space and comfort and increased variability’
Vehicle manufacturer Stellantis saw production rates slow due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductors in the automotive industry.
The 50-50 joint venture between Italian-American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group owns the Vauxhall manufacturing plant at Ellesmere Port.
The future of the Cheshire site, which currently makes the Astra model, was guaranteed in July when the group confirmed that it will make new electric vans and passenger versions from 2022 as part of a £100m investment, including around £30m from the Government
Luxury car maker Jaguar Land Rover Automotive made a £302m pre-tax loss in its second quarter period, it reported, due to the ongoing shortage of semiconductors.
The group, which has manufacturing sites at Halewood on Merseyside, and Solihull and Castle Bromwich in the West Midlands, confirmed the supply issue last month when it issued sales figures for the three months to September 30.
It revealed its financial performance which showed revenue was £3.9bn, a pre-tax loss of £302m, and an EBIT margin of -4.7%. However, the free cash outflow was £664m, after £484m of investment spending and £501m volume-related working capital outflow.
This was significantly better than prior guidance for a £1bn free cash outflow, reflecting prioritised production of higher margin products and cost controls to reduce the cash break-even point for the company.
Bentley will celebrate the most profitable 12 months in its 102-year history at the end of 2021, with its total profits for the first three quarters alone surpassing all final full-year figures on record.
For the year to date, the luxury marque has posted operating profits of €275 million (£232.2m), which is €105m more than it achieved in the whole of 2014, its most profitable year on record.
It has sold 10,934 models worldwide so far in 2021, a 46% increase on the pandemic-blighted 2020 but, more significantly a 53% increase on 2019.
Demand for used battery electric (BEV) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles continued to grow in Q3, according to the latest figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Reflecting recent trends in both the new and used markets, transactions rose by 56.4% and 43.3% to 14,182 and 14,990 respectively. Indeed, the number of used BEVs that changed hands during the period was the highest recorded in any quarter. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) transactions also increased by 20.3% to 40,157.
Thanks to an ever-growing choice of new zero emission models coming on sale, for both new and used car buyers, the market share for all used plug-in vehicles increased to 1.4%, up from 0.9% the previous year. Petrol and diesel powertrains continued to dominate, however, comprising 96.4% of all transactions equivalent to 1,959,955 units, although demand for both declined, by -6.9% and -7.6% respectively