industry NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS FALL BY NEARLY A THIRD IN 2020 The UK new car market fell by almost a third (-29.4%) in 2020, with annual registrations dropping to 1.6 million units, according to figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Covid restrictions, an acceleration of the end of sale date for petrol and diesel cars to 2030 and Brexit uncertainty meant the industry suffered a total turnover loss of £20.4 billion. Demand fell across all segments bar specialist sports, which grew by 7.0%, although Britain’s most popular class of car remained the supermini, retaining a 31.2% market share. Although falling by a combined -32.9%, petrol and mild hybrid (MHEV) petrol cars made up 62.7% of registrations, while diesel and MHEV diesels, down -47.6%, comprised almost a fifth (19.8%) of the market. In contrast, battery and plug-in hybrid electric cars accounted for more than one in 10 registrations – up from around one in 30 in 2019. Demand for battery electric vehicles (BEVs) grew by 185.9% to 108,205 units, while registrations of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose 91.2% to 66,877. More than 100 plug-in car models are now available to UK buyers, and manufacturers are scheduled to bring more than 35 to market in 2021 – more than the number of either
DIGITAL PLATFORM SET TO INFORM, TRAIN AND CONNECT Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham, has launched auto:resource, a new online directory and resources platform for the UK aftermarket. www.autoresource.co.uk offers the latest market trends and insights, while providing access to training and education, product and service information, plus exclusive offers and incentives from industry brands.
INDUSTRY
The platform is completely free to use and designed specifically for garage owners, technicians, bodyshops, mobile repairers, franchised dealerships, breakdown, motor factors, distributors and retailers.
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Simon Albert, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of Automechanika Birmingham, said: “Messe Frankfurt UK has a proven track record of connecting the automotive industry under one umbrella, and this new digital platform fully complements our longstanding commitment to providing the industry with an exhibition it can be proud of in Automechanika Birmingham.”
petrol or diesel new models planned for the year. The SMMT states, that with the UK-EU Trade and Cooperation Agreement now in force, the industry has avoided a catastrophic ‘no deal’ scenario and can plan for a future with more certainty over trading conditions. Given seven out of 10 new cars registered in the UK in 2020 were imported from Europe, the continuation of tariff- and quota-free trade is critical to a strong new car market in the UK.
BREAKOUT FOR BEN – ROAD TO £1 MILLION Automotive charity Ben, has announced the launch of its new active virtual challenge for the whole industry, called Breakout for Ben - road to £1 million. This new challenge follows on from Ben’s rallying cry last year asking industry leaders for urgent support, following a 50% increase in service demand against a £1m income shortfall. More than half of this has been raised, but there is still some way to go to ensure Ben can be there for everyone who needs support. Breakout for Ben is the latest challenge to help ensure no-one in automotive faces life’s toughest challenges alone. It runs from 5th - 14th February with socially distanced teams of up to 10 covering 1,722 miles by exercising to fundraise for Ben. The event will see teams embark on a virtual journey visiting motor circuits across the UK, starting at Pembrey Circuit in north Wales and ending at Silverstone. Using an app, teams can track their progress together meaning they don’t need to be physically together with other team members during the challenge. To find out more and sign up, visit: http://ben.org.uk
