Super-September boosts UK automotive sector

The new '63-plate' helped the September market rise 12.1% to hit 403,136 registrations, making it the best performing month since March 2008. Mike Hawes (pictured), chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said the market reflected growing economic confidence. He continued: "Robust private demand has played a major role in this growth with customers attracted by exciting, increasingly fuel-efficient new models which offer savings in the cost of ownership. This is the 19th consecutive month of steady growth and, with fleet and business demand still to reach pre-recession levels, we believe the performance to be sustainable. David Raistrick, UK Automotive Leader at Deloitte said the impressive run of comparative growth, in addition to indications that Europe may be turning the corner, would be comforting news for manufacturers. Positive news from France, Italy and Spain, reporting growth for September was welcome. Looking ahead, Raistrick added: "The somewhat unexpected contraction in Germany's market may be lessening, but it raises interesting questions as to what will happen next in the UK. It is a market that many have viewed as defying gravity over the last twelve months, and suggested cannot continue to do so indefinitely – it may however be that the UK has found a new level for sustainable new car sales on a longer term basis."