Business

Northern Ireland bucks trend as new car registrations gear up again

The Nissan Qashqai was the top-selling new car in Northern Ireland in July according to the SMMT
The Nissan Qashqai was the top-selling new car in Northern Ireland in July according to the SMMT The Nissan Qashqai was the top-selling new car in Northern Ireland in July according to the SMMT

NORTHERN Ireland has again bucked the UK trend for new car sales after registrations rose slightly in July while all other regions declined.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) showed that 3,758 new models drove away from showrooms last month. That's 1.2 per cent more than the June total of 3,714.

But in the year to date, sales in the north are fractionally behind where they were a year ago at 34,595 (against 34,706 previously).

In the UK as a whole, registrations fell by 4.1 per cent, the fifth consecutive month of decline and the weakest July market since 2012, as political and economic uncertainty and confusion over future government policy on different fuel types continued to knock consumer and business confidence.

Some 156,617 new cars were registered last month compared with 163,388 during July 2018.

Private and fleet registrations fell by 2 per cent and 4.7 per cent respectively last month, while business sales were down 22.5 per cent.

Sales of diesel models dropped by 22.1 per cent but demand for new petrol cars was up 2.6 per cent.

The market for battery electric cars increased by 158.1 per cent, while registrations for hybrid cars that cannot be plugged in grew 34.2 per cent.

But the plug-in hybrid sector fell by 49.6 per cent.

Government grants for new low-emission cars were slashed in October last year, meaning hybrid models are no longer eligible for the scheme.

Motoring groups have warned that the decision will leave the UK struggling to meet targets to reduce vehicle emissions.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "Despite yet another month of decline in the new car market, it's encouraging to see substantial growth in zero-emission vehicles.

"Thanks to manufacturers' investment in these new technologies over many years, these cars are coming to market in greater numbers than ever before.

"If the UK is to meet its environmental ambitions, however, Government must create the right conditions to drive uptake, including long-term incentives and investment in infrastructure.

"The fastest way to address air quality concerns is through fleet renewal so buyers need to be given the confidence to invest in the new, cleaner vehicles that best suit their driving needs, regardless of how they are powered."

Ian Gilmartin, industry director at Barclays Corporate Banking, said the automotive industry is "doing everything it can to try to stimulate demand" through financing deals and the range of new cars available.

He added: "It's all about the external environment at the moment, with no-deal Brexit fears growing and renewed currency weakness putting more pressure on supply chains and margins."

Top-selling models in Northern Ireland in July were:

1 Nissan Qashqai

2 Ford Kuga

3 Ford Fiesta

4 Hyundai Tucson

5 Ford Focus

6 Volkswagen Golf

7 Volkswagen Tiguan

8 Toyota Corolla

9 Peugeot 3008

10 Volkswagen Polo