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My name is Rhys, a first time dad blogging about my adventures and experiences of being a parent. [email protected]

Wales does better than most despite dip in new car sales

New car sales in Wales last year did better than most other parts of Britain, show figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

Twelve months saw 79,936 new cars registered in Wales compared to 82,753 in 2017, a 3.4% dip and only Northern Ireland faired better with 3.35% decline on a smaller total of 52,533 in 2018 under 54,356 sales a year earlier.

New car sales in England and Scotland fell 6.89 and 8.18% respectively and the total for the UK was down 6.8% to 2,361,618 from 2,534,040 in 2017.

It was the steepest decline since the global crisis a decade ago with car makers blaming Governments for confusion over diesel legislation and the stagnation of decision planning for Brexit in March.

Conversely, petrol and AFV sales have climbed to replace the lost diesel business but some manufacturers have faired worse than others due to over-reliance on derv driven registrations.

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Car makers and the SMMT have warned about a possible reduction in UK investment if there is no agreement for Britain’s trading rights from the end of March when it could face additional tariffs and customs checks on components and finished models. Across Europe last month, car sales slid 8.5% as tighter emissions tests strangled production and registrations but there is optimism of a slight lift in 2019 when markets settle down and supplies improve.

Top ten cars in Wales 2018 were:
  • Ford Fiesta  5033
  • Ford Kuga   2245
  • Ford Focus 2177
  • VW Polo     1711
  • Vaux Corsa 1643
  • Ford EcoSport  1530
  • VW Golf          1530
  • Nissan Qashqai 1428
  • Vaux Mokka      1307
  • Toyota Yaris     1302

UK top cars 2018 were:

  • Ford Fiesta     95892
  • VW Golf             64829
  • Vaux Corsa     52915
  • Nissan Qashqai  50546
  • Ford Focus    50492
  • VW Polo         45149
  • MINI                44904
  • MB A Class    43527
  • Ford Kuga     40398
  • Kia Sportage 35567

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes added:

“Despite the overall decline in 2018, demand for new cars in the UK remains solid, with volumes on a par with the preceding 15-year average,and the market still the second biggest in the EU, behind Germany. It is also one of the most diverse, with buyers able to choose from some 350 different models available in fuel types and body styles to suit all driving needs.

:Meanwhile, more than 80 exciting new generation models – 31 of them plug-in electrics – are set to make their showroom debuts in 2019, and with some compelling deals on offer, the industry is continuing to invest to grow the market despite the headwinds.”