Diesel Cars increase Market Share
With fuel costs forecast by some to rise by up to 10p a litre (45p a
gallon) over the next six months will we see diesel cars build on the record market share they achieved last month?
In July, for the first time ever, more diesel engine cars were bought than petrol ones. There are several reasons for this. One is that the scrappage scheme tended to focus attention on smaller cars which more often than not are petrol powered and with the ending of that the market is settling back to a more balanced buying pattern.
The second is that the traditional price premium charged for a diesel car is becoming less of an issue. The third is that, of course, diesels offer far better fuel economy and with that price rise looming - from a rise in duty, the rise in VAT next January or even a rise in the cost of crude - car buyers are thinking more about the cost of filling up.
Last month diesel sales were up 12 per cent, taking 50.6 per cent of the total market. Interestingly, there was a huge jump in alternative fuelled vehicles (AFVs) too, up by 53 per cent even thought they still only took 1.4 per cent of the overall sales. Watch this figure soar when the next generation of hybrids arrive!
Despite an uncertain next few months, trade experts predict a slightly better year than in 2009 and we should see a two million-plus market.
As an interesting aside, I was talking to someone in the new MG operation who had just returned from a trip to China to see the HQ of SAIC which owns MG and he said that last year while the UK sold 1.9 million new cars, in China the market was 13.6 million!
The 4 best sellers so far this year are cars also sold in diesel forms...
Two Fords, the Fiesta Diesel and theFocus
Diesel, and two Vauxhalls, Astra Diesel and Corsa
Diesel
Perrys is one of Britain's top car retailers, and always has a great range of new and used diesel cars in stock