According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, new car registrations in the UK have dropped 11.5% year on year for November. Though this may seem like a large decrease the figure is actually better than what industry analysts had been predicting.
Since the government backed scrappage scheme was withdrawn earlier in the year it has become very difficult to measure and compare the automotive industry and sales figures. The scrappage scheme boosted new car sales whilst lowering used car sales. 2009 was a scrappage filled year where a lot of new vehicles were sold, which inflated the figures therefore comparing this year's figures to last year is not a true comparison.
If we take the sales boosted by scrappage scheme last November out of the total sales figures then the number of new cars sold has actually increased by 14%, but again this is not a bullet proof figure. True indications of the automotive market's condition will come to light next year when we will have this year's figures to compare against.
New car registrations are still on course to reach over 2.03 million units, which is 2% up on last year. Many motoring analysts are predicting a surge in the market during December with buyers trying to avoid the 2.5% VAT increase in January.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said: "Next year will continue to be challenging as consumer spending tightens and the government's austerity measures take effect."
A SMMT member from a car garage in Skelmersdalehad predicted that the Ford Fiesta would again be the best selling car, they were correct. The UK's bets selling car for November was once again Ford's supermini.