UK SALES - The SMMT announces a decline in sales for June, less than 1% but nevertheless it is down, BREXIT ?

• Demand for new cars up 3.2% in first half of 2016, with a record 1,420,636 registrations between January and June.
• Growth seen across all fuel types, as alternatively fuelled vehicles lead the way with 21.3% boost YTD.
• June sees small -0.8% decline as new car market continues to stabilise.

The UK new car market grew by a steady 3.2% in the first six months of the year, according to figures released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 1,420,636 new cars have been registered so far in 2016 – the best half-year performance ever recorded.

Growth was reported across all fuel types, with diesel and petrol registrations growing 2.3% and 3.0% respectively in the year-to-date. Alternatively fuelled vehicles (AFVs), meanwhile, continued the significant gains seen over previous months, up 21.3% compared with the first six months of 2015. AFVs now account for 3.2% of the overall new car market.

Demand in June eased slightly, with a -0.8% fall in registrations, meeting expectations that market growth would stabilise following a record 2015. Fleet registrations continued the trend of recent months, driving the market with a 4.5% rise and compensating for a -4.5% drop in private registrations.

 Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “It is far too soon to determine whether the referendum result has had an impact on the new car market. The first six months saw strong demand at record levels but the market undoubtedly cooled over the second quarter. It’s important government takes every measure to restore business and economic confidence to avoid the market contracting in the coming months.”

USA SALES JANUARY - Ford dips in January while luxury arm, Lincoln grows.

• Ford brand SUVs have their best start since 2004 with 50,212 vehicles sold; Edge sales up 26 percent
• Transit sales increase 51 percent, driving Ford van sales to their best January since 1985
• Lincoln posts January sales up 8 percent on strong demand for all-new Lincoln MKX
• Ford Motor Company average transaction prices grow almost three times the rate of overall industry; U.S. sales of 173,723 vehicles decline 3 percent versus last year

Coming off strong results last January, Ford Motor Company’s total U.S. sales of 173,723 vehicles declined 3 percent last month versus a year ago.

Bright spots for January include industry-leading transaction price increases for the month, the best start since 2004 for Ford brand SUV sales and an 8-percent gain in sales for Lincoln.

“For Ford, overall transaction prices were up $1,800 in January – almost three times more than the overall industry average – driven largely by strong customer demand, especially for our SUVs and F-Series pickups,” said Mark LaNeve, Ford vice president, U.S. Marketing, Sales and Service.

Ford SUVs totaled 50,212 sales last month – a 3 percent increase versus a year ago and the brand’s best sales start since 2004. The all-new Edge was the biggest driver, posting a 26 percent jump on sales of 9,533 vehicles.

   

Transit sales increased 51 percent in January with 9,631 vehicles sold, lifting overall Ford van performance 20 percent for their best start since 1985. 

F-Series January sales totaled 51,540 vehicles, down 5 percent. F-Series average transaction pricing grew $2,500 last month, while incentive spending was down $500 versus a year ago.

“We continue seeing strong commercial fleet orders for F-150 and will be filling more orders this year,” LaNeve said. “As the largest seller of commercial vehicles, this represents good news for Ford trucks and the overall economy.”

Lincoln sales increased 8 percent, for the best start of the year since 2008. Lincoln sold 7,177 vehicles, and the all-new MKX posted a 51 percent increase with 2,052 vehicles sold. It was Lincoln’s best January for SUVs since 2001.  

USA SALES NOVEMBE - PORSCHE - The Mighty sports car company falls from grace as VW scandal hits.

Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA), importer and distributor in the United States of Porsche 918 Spyder, 911, Boxster and Cayman sports cars, Macan and Cayenne SUVs, and the Panamera four-door sports sedan line-up, today announced November 2015 sales of 4,450 vehicles.

November brings year-to-date sales to 47,820 vehicles, exceeding the 2014 record of 47,007 units sold. Year-to-date, sales increased 9.3 percent.

Porsche Approved Certified Pre-Owned vehicle sales in the United States were 1,187 for November 2015, up 15.8 percent compared to November 2014.

Model	November Sales		Year-to-Date
	2015	2014	2015	2014
ALL BOXSTER/CAYMAN	588	656	6,249	6,950
ALL 911/918	886	945	9,447	9,714
ALL CAYENNE	1,523	1,619	15,244	15,271
ALL PANAMERA	491	492	4,729	5,420
ALL MACAN	962	987	12,151	6,377
GRAND TOTALS	4,450	4,699	47,820	43,732