U.K. Posts Record First Half Sales

U.K. new-vehicle sales increased 3.2% in the first six months to a record 1,420,636 units, with the industry now expecting the market to stabilize after its best-ever performance in 2015.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says June deliveries gained 0.8% to 255,766 units with fleet rising 4.5% to drive the market and offset a 4.5% drop in private sales.

Alternatively fueled vehicles continued the significant gains seen in previous months, rising 21.3% in the first half to 46,014 units and accounting for 3.2% of the new-vehicle market.

SMMT CEO Mike Hawes says it is far too soon to determine whether the Brexit referendum result has had an impact on demand.

“The first six months saw strong demand at record levels, but the market undoubtedly cooled over the second quarter,” Hawes says in a statement. “It’s important government takes every measure to restore business and economic confidence to avoid the market contracting in the coming months.”

The Ford Fiesta topped sales with 11,357 units in June and 68,833 year-to-date. The Vauxhall Corsa followed with 8,837 units in June for a 6-month total of 43,356.

The U.K. van market broke records as sales rose for the fifth straight month with June deliveries up 2.7% to 36,700. This gave the segment a record first six months, up 3.0% to 191,996.

Hawes says it’s been an encouraging first half for the new LCV sector.

“While growth may be slower than the record levels seen last year, the market remains strong with all the signs pointing towards a healthy performance in 2016,” he says. “Maintaining economic certainty for van operators will be key to the sector’s ongoing success.”

Ford was the U.K. market leader in total vehicle sales in the month with its highest June CV and fleet-car volume on record. Its 41,284 sales gave it a 13.9% market share.

JLR’s Jaguar and Land Rover brands each smashed their half-year records, with Jaguar soaring 68% year-on-year to 16,603 units and Land Rover up 10% to 45,711 units. The combined result was up 21% to a record 62,314 units.

Renault U.K. sales rose 21.0% in the first half to 44,570 vehicles for a 3.1% market share, as June sales soared 37.6% to 9,156.

In an electric-vehicle market that was up 12.5% in the first half of the year, sales of Renault’s EV range rose 26.1% to 1,199 units. The Zoe accounted for 1,069 units.