United Kingdom: Sales dip for first time in years

Volkswagen’s emissions scandal broke in late September, and didn’t have time to affect sales for that month, but the full impact on sales now seems to be hitting. Overall registrations so far this year have risen 6.38 per cent, however, with 2,267,377 in 2015 compared with 2,131,444 by October 2014. The biggest faller? Not surprisingly, brands owned by Volkswagen.

“The economic fundamentals still look largely healthy for the motor industry which will hopefully allow auto sales to hold up at an elevated level over the coming months”, IHS Global Insight economist Howard Archer said.

Although the drop in VW sales could be attributed to the scandal, several other brands also saw their sales decline year-on-year in October as the industry’s extraordinary run of monthly growth finally stalled.

Speaking further on the scandal he admitted that it “invariably will cause a few people to think again about purchasing, or just to find out more information, which can delay sales”.

Vauxhall sales were down by 16.4%, Nissan by 12.9% and Mitsubishi by 11.9%.

SMMT has suddenly removed from its comfortable throne of growth with this massive falloff in sales. The collapse in VW sales came as sales of imported cars in South Korea rose 6% in October.

Yep, according to the figures, VW sales were down 9.8 per cent, while sales of Seats fell 32.2 per cent, as consumers shied away from buying vehicles affected by the VW’s emissions cheating scandal.

“The sector is in a strong position, as low interest rates, consumer confidence, and exciting new products combine to attract new vehicle buyers”, Hawes stated to explain that the market for automotives in Britain was still in good shape. “October’s sales were still at a very respectable level”.

The Ford Fiesta remained at the top of the charts with 8577 units registered during the month. It was Korea Automobile Importers and Distributors Association that released a report stating there were only 847 cars sold in Korea last month.