UK car sales down 9.3% in September

Car sales in the UK were down 9.3 per cent in September. The figures that have just been released are worse than the situation in the last six months, that has seen a constant decline.

Chris Bosworth, director of strategy at Close Brothers Motor Finance, commented about the situation blaming Brexit, and therefore the uncertainty in the EU, for this decline.

«September traditionally delivers a peak as the new registration plates are introduced, but it appears that the motor industry is struggling to shake off the impact that Brexit uncertainty is having on consumer spending.

We are already seeing the consequences of the weak pound on UK manufacturers’ profit margins, and this has made it difficult for dealers to offer customer deals, especially the 0% finance offers which would have been abundant in previous years», said Bosworth.

September has been a fruitful month for the industry, with the latest decline in 2011 when, however, the decline only amounted to a 0.8%. The most hit are diesel engines, with a -21% in sales.

UK brands include luxury cars Jaguar, Aston Martin, Rolls Royce and Bentley, as well as Land Rover, Mini and Vauxhall. The latest only had a fifth place with its Corsa in the top ten.