The UK’s used automobile market declined in 2020, down -14.9% based on the newest figures launched as we speak by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT). 6,752,959 used automobile transactions came about, 1,182,146 fewer than in 2019, making 2020 the bottom performing yr since 2012 as lockdown measures to sort out the coronavirus pandemic and turbulent client and enterprise confidence dented gross sales.1
Regardless of used automobile transactions growing 3.7% in October, a fourth consecutive month of progress, the mix of recent lockdowns and harder restrictions throughout the UK later within the yr noticed exercise tail off, with declines of -18.3% and -4.2% in November and December respectively. Mixed This autumn transactions fell by -6.2% to 1,693,138, rounding off a troublesome yr for the sector.
Alternatively fuelled automobiles (AFVs) bucked the pattern, nevertheless, with 144,225 of those fashions bought through the yr, a rise of 5.2%, with their market share rising to 2.1%. Battery electrical automobiles (BEVs) noticed their transactions enhance by 29.7% to 19,184 items, however nonetheless solely a fraction of all exercise at 0.3%. The marketplace for hybrids (HEVs) additionally rose, by 4.7%, whereas demand for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) fell by -5.0%. Used diesel and petrol automobile transactions additionally fell, by -15.5% and -15.2% respectively, but mixed have been nonetheless equal to some 6.6 million items discovering new house owners.
Final yr all used automobile segments skilled declines, nevertheless superminis remained the preferred selection with 2.2 million items bought, accounting for 32.0% of all transactions. Decrease medium automobiles have been the following most traded phase, with 1.8 million gross sales to take 27.0% market share. Luxurious Saloon (-5.8%), twin function (-7.2%) and specialist sports activities (-8.4%) noticed extra modest declines with a mixed 1,084,504 transactions.
Black was primary within the color charts, with simply over 1.4 million fashions within the shade altering arms with silver and blue finishing the rostrum line-up. Gray, which was the highest promoting new automobile color in 2020, solely managed fourth place. Some patrons regarded so as to add a brighter notice to their used buy, with 4,018 pink, 6,510 turquoise and 23,427 gold automobiles snapped up through the yr.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Government, mentioned,
These figures are but extra proof of the numerous harm coronavirus has precipitated the automotive sector. Market progress at the beginning of the yr was welcome however rapidly stifled by the primary lockdown as showrooms closed throughout the nation, an image that was repeated with the next lockdowns in November and, certainly, into 2021. The precedence now have to be to permit automobile showrooms to re-open as quickly as restrictions are eased. This won’t solely assist the used market get well, supporting jobs and livelihoods and offering people with the non-public mobility they want at a time when steering is in opposition to utilizing public or shared transport, however it should additionally allow the newest and cleanest automobiles to filter via to second house owners and preserve society shifting.
SOURCE: SMMT
