2011 car sales: UK winners and losers
2011 has been a pretty disappointing year in the UK motor industry with sales figures (as of the end of November) almost 4.5 per cent down when compared to 2010, according to figures from the society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Whilst 2011’s sliding sales haven’t come as a surprise - with the majority of forecasters predicting a difficult year for the market – many wouldn’t have predicted such a poor eleven months where, since January, sales have fallen in every month of the year bar August and October.
That’s been reflected in the individual performances of manufacturers in the UK. Out of 45 leading brands in the UK – even discounting the likes of Corvette, Cadillac and Dodge – just 13 marques managed to improve their sales when compared to 2010 and the majority of those were by around ten per cent.
There are additional caveats: 2010 had several months of scrappage sales, representing a significant distortion of the new-car market that year. Manufacturers will argue, with some justification, that 2011's figures simply represent a regression to normal service.
Lies and damn lies - all the figures will hide ebbs and flows and a dozen different stories for each manufacturer. No doubt some manufacturers will be fairly satisfied with their 2011 performances. But the figures will not make for happy reading for many.
With that corollary out of the way, here are 2011's figures - to December - for the UK car industry.
The winners
Alfa Romeo
Sales in 2011: 10,955
Compared to 2010: Sales are up 41.23 per cent.
Possible reasons: Alfa Romeo has had an excellent year and that’s the result of a pair of brilliant cars from the Italian manufacturer as well as an improved engine range.
The MiTo and the Giulietta were around well before January 2011 but the two hatchbacks went a long way in improving Alfa’s often flawed reputation. It’s also benefitting from Fiat’s brilliantly efficient engine line-up, making Alfa more appealing for cash-strapped motorists in the UK.
Lexus
Sales in 2011: 7,586
Compared to 2010: Sales are up 26.77 per cent.
Possible reasons: Lexus is never likely to dominate sales charts in the UK given its premium tag but with hybrids becoming more popular among drivers looking to cut their running costs, the Japanese brand is well placed.
The CT200h and its advertising campaign featuring a certain Kylie Minogue has undoubtedly helped the manufacturer increase conquest sales.
Audi
Sales in 2010: 107,487
Compared to 2010: Sales are up 13.44 per cent.
Possible reasons: There are numerous reasons for Audi’s continued success in the UK, the majority of which centre on its wide and varied line-up of models and engines ranging from compact hatchbacks to massive SUVs.
While an Audi will never be cheap, it is still accessible and an attractive manufacturer for a large proportion of UK motorists keen to drive a car with the four rings.
Infiniti
Sales in 2010: 348
Compared to 2010: Sales are up 85.11 per cent.
Possible reasons: 348 isn’t an enormous amount of sales for a manufacturer in the UK but it’s one that signals an enormous improvement for the luxury Japanese marque.
[caption id="attachment_3014" align="alignnone" width="400" caption="Spot the difference"]
[/caption]
It specialises in hybrids and SUVs and whilst it’s a relative unknown in the UK at the moment, its increasing presence with the Red Bull Formula One team and an increase in exposure could push Nissan’s luxury arm.
The real winners: Top ten best selling cars in the UK
1. Ford Fiesta
2. Ford Focus
3. Vauxhall Corsa
4. Volkswagen Golf
5. Vauxhall Astra
6. Vauxhall Insignia
7. Volkswagen Polo
8. BMW 3 Series
9. Nissan Qashqai
10. Mini
The losers
Whilst there were plenty of manufacturers whose sales were down in 2011, the most telling changes came for the best selling brands in the UK.
Ford is the best selling manufacturer again in the UK with 251,205 new car sales, however that’s down 5.71 per cent compared to 2010. Vauxhall suffered similar disappointment with sales down by 5.11 per cent despite selling 218,928 units.
Fiat
Sales in 2011: 39,409
Compared to 2010: Sales are down 21.58 per cent.
Possible reasons: Fiat had few landmark launches in 2011, with the exception of the next generation Doblo in January, engine updates and special edition 500’s, so has done little to draw in sales.
It won’t be worrying too much because next year it will launch the next generation Panda across the globe – one of its best selling cars ever. Its engines are also thriving and being used in Alfa Romeos.
Renault
Sales in 2011: 63,901
Compared to 2010: Sales are down 28.68 per cent.
Possible reasons: Like Fiat, Renault’s been fairly quiet in 2011. It released new engines for the Scenic as well as more niche performance versions of the Twingo and the Wind, but nothing it would be too optimistic in claiming mass sales.
While the Kangoo ZE was a landmark model in the commercial vehicle sector, it’s the arrival of the Fluence ZE And the Twizy in 2012 that will be integral to the French manufacturer’s presence in the UK.
Mazda
Sales in 2011: 29,584
Compared to 2010: Sales are down 31.21 per cent.
Possible reasons: While Mazda will be excited about the upcoming arrival of the CX-5, it’s clearly as worried about its drop in sales in 2011 – hence a raft of VAT-free offers and price incentives for customers to join the range.
It seems limited edition MX-5 roadsters aren’t quite as popular in the UK as the Japanese manufacturer would hope.
Saab
Sales in 2011: 4,130
Compared to 2010: Sales are down 19.77 per cent.
Possible reasons: It’s been depressing and slightly upsetting watching Saab’s slow demise through the year.
The Swedish manufacturer is renowned for making unique saloons and estates that stand out from its rivals but it appears time is running out for the brand with the administrators knocking at the door due to a lack of funds and overdue payments.
Saab has just secured provisional funding from a Chinese investor but with GM against any Asian sale, Saab could be gone before the year is out.