White remains the UK's best selling colour for the fourth year running.

• White UK’s favourite new car colour for fourth consecutive year, but demand falls for the first time since 2005 – down -2.1%.
• 2016 sees highest number of black cars registered in the UK since 2007 – 542,862.
• Yellow back in top 10, with 12,431 cars registered – double the figure from five years ago.

White maintained its position as the UK’s most popular new car colour for the fourth year in a row in 2016, according to data published today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). 

More than half a million new car buyers chose the colour last year – a fifth of all registrations – although figures show its popularity is starting to fade with demand falling -2.1%, the first drop since 2005.

White and black are the nation’s two favourite car colours – of the 2.69 million new cars registered in 2016, white (552,329) and black (542,862) took more than 40% market share. 

While white maintained its lead in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, in England it was overtaken by black as the new car colour of choice.

Nationally, the third and fourth most popular colours were grey and blue, both gaining market share. Meanwhile, yellow cars appeared in the top 10 for the first time since 2013 at the expense of mauve, which dropped to 11th place.

Regionally, black topped the chart in the South East while also overtaking white as the favourite new car colour in East Anglia and the West Midlands. 

However, white continued to be most popular across the rest of the country, with buyers in the South West, East Anglia, East Midlands, Yorkshire and the North all following the national trend.

Car colours: Biggest winners and losers in 2016

Going up

• Pink may still be a niche colour choice, but last year demand grew 82.7% to 3,527 units.
• A 44% rise in demand for Bronze cars saw a record 8,902 people spec the colour in 2016.
• Turquoise’s popularity grew fourfold last year, from just 792 registrations in 2015 to 2,718.

Going down

• Is brown’s time in the top 10 coming to an end? Demand fell -40.1%, dropping it one place to ninth.
• Appetite for beige fell -27.6% to under 10,000 for the first time since 2000 with 8,426 cars registered.
• Silver saw the biggest volume decline, falling 22,209, with 273,220 buyers choosing it compared with 843,870 in its heyday back in 2004.

Vauxhall ends the year with some significant improvements and a massive police market share.

• Astra best-seller in its segment for last three months of 2016
• Vauxhall number one in Scotland, with Corsa best-selling car

Rounding off last year in style, Vauxhall’s multi award-winning Astra has celebrated a sales hat-trick by being number one in its segment in each of the last three months of 2016.

According to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, the Astra cruised to victory with 15,948 sold in the fourth quarter and a total of 32,313 sold between July and December 2016, making it the best-selling car in its segment in the second half of the year, too.

This sales momentum capped a superb year for Vauxhall’s family hatchback, having built up an impressive list of accolades including 2016 European Car of Year, a game-changer award from Autocar and category wins at the Auto Express, What Car? and Fleet News awards.

In Scotland, Vauxhall was the largest selling manufacturer, according to figures released by the Scottish Motor Trade Association. Vauxhall has been number one in the region for the last nine years.

With over 10,000 sold last year, the Corsa was Scotland’s best-selling car. The top-selling Corsa has been Scotland’s best-selling car for seven out of the last eight years. Two other Vauxhall models featured in Scotland’s top ten best-sellers, including the Astra in fifth place with 5,260 sold and the Mokka in tenth place with 3,843 sold.

And if that wasn’t enough, Vauxhall is the number one supplier to Police fleets with a 70 per cent market share of competitive segments. A position it hopes to strengthen after opening the largest Police car factory in Europe at its manufacturing plant in Luton, Bedfordshire last year.

“The Astra is the best family car on the market,” said Rory Harvey, Vauxhall’s Chairman and Managing Director. “After winning a host of top awards, 2016 was the new Astra’s first full year on the market and I am very pleased to see it top its segment in the fourth quarter and the second half of the year. Now we focus on 2017, with our best-ever product portfolio and five new models in the pipeline.”

Vauxhall is set for a ground-breaking 2017, with a total of five major product launches that will add further variety to its range, already one of the largest in the UK, while at the same time entering new market segments. The five new models are the Insignia Grand Sport, Sports Tourer and Country Tourer, Crossland X and Grandland X.

END OF YEAR SCOTLAND - VAUXHALL - The Corsa takes the #1 sales spot yet again in 2016.

Vauxhall was the largest selling manufacturer in Scotland in 2016, according to figures released today by the Scottish Motor Trade Association. The manufacturer has been number one in the region for the last nine years.

With over 10,000 sold last year, the Corsa was Scotland’s best-selling car. The top-selling Corsa has been Scotland’s best-selling car for seven out of the last eight years. 

Two other Vauxhall models featured in Scotland’s top ten best-sellers, including the Astra in fifth place with 5,260 sold and the Mokka in tenth place with 3,843 sold.

“The Scottish market is of great importance to Vauxhall,” said Gordon Hannen, Vauxhall’s Regional Operations Manager for Scotland. “We are delighted to be Scotland’s biggest-selling car manufacturer for the ninth year running, with Corsa its best-selling car."

Vauxhall is set for a ground-breaking 2017, with a total of five major product launches that will add further variety to its range, already one of the largest in the UK, while at the same time entering new market segments. The five new models are the Insignia Grand Sport, Sports Tourer and Country Tourer, Crossland X and Grandland X.

Nissan opens a new dealership in Glasgow, Scotland after a £5 million investment.

The UK’s newest Nissan dealership and the latest landmark on the Glasgow skyline has been officially opened.

Macklin Motors Nissan on the city’s Port Dundas Road boasts a prominent eight-storey glass car display tower that stands proud above the M8 motorway.

Built at a cost of more than £5 million, it was opened last night by David Crane, Chief Operations Officer of Macklin Motors’ parent company, Vertu Motors plc, and Nissan brand ambassador Sir Chris Hoy.

The opening of the new outlet further cements the relationship between Nissan and Vertu Motors, which now operates 11 Nissan outlets nationwide. It also strengthens Nissan’s presence in Central Scotland.

Alex Smith, Managing Director of Nissan Motor (GB), said: “We are thrilled and hugely excited to be adding a new dealership on this scale to the Nissan network.

“The past year has seen the opening of a number of increasingly large and ever more impressive Nissan dealerships in major cities across the UK.

“Macklin Motors in Glasgow is a symbol of the aspirations Nissan has as a brand and the confidence our retail partners, like Vertu Motors, have in our ability to meet them.”

David Crane, Chief Operations Officer of Vertu Motors plc, said on the evening: “The opening of Macklin Motors Nissan Glasgow Central is a significant milestone, which demonstrates our commitment and confidence in the city.

“This official opening is the culmination of more than two years of hard work by hundreds of people and an investment of millions of pounds. The team at Macklin Motors, led by general manager Robert Auld, will be on hand to offer customers a fantastic experience in the stunning surroundings of the new dealership.

“I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in getting us to this point and thank our guests for taking the time to celebrate this fantastic milestone with us.”

Catered by Michelin-starred chef, Tom Kitchin, the official opening was attended by a veritable who’s who of Glasgow society.

Guests had a chance to tour the new facility, built on the site of the old DC Thomson printworks, which incorporates a stunning new car showroom, on site café and state-of-the-art workshop.

Understandably though, much of the attention was focused on the computer-controlled eight-storey glass display tower, which can hold up to 30 cars.

The new dealership will supply the full range of new and used Nissan cars, including the 100% electric Nissan LEAF and high performance models like the GT-R supercar.

MG Announces that Arnold Clark is returning to the brand to push sales throughout Scotland.

MG Motor UK has achieved a major step forward in its dealer development strategy, following the appointment of Arnold Clark to its growing network in Scotland. 

As the most profitable UK dealer group, ranked second in terms of car volumes and number of outlets, Arnold Clark represents a significant expansion for the resurgent British car brand. 

The award-winning dealer group will use its Rutherglen site, near Glasgow, as a central location for MG sales, retailing the MG3 supermini and all-new MG GS models.

With more than 60 years’ experience in automotive retail, Arnold Clark now represents 24 manufacturers and operates 200 branches across the UK. The deal with MG is further evidence of the manufacturer’s re-emergence as a serious player in the competitive volume car market. Latest statistics from the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) confirms that in September, the company’s UK sales topped the 1,000 mark; signalling its best ever performance since 2009.

With a long-established reputation for top quality customer service and an excellent aftersales package, Arnold Clark will retail MG’s growing model range from its showroom in Rutherglen, South Lanarkshire.

Gavin McKenzie, MG Franchise Manager at Arnold Clark, commented: “We’re really excited about taking on the MG franchise in Scotland. This will give drivers the chance to enjoy this great brand, which is seeing a welcomed resurgence in the market. From the MG3 supermini to the family-friendly MG GS SUV, we can’t wait to display the latest models in our showroom.”

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, added: “As one of the UK’s leading car retailers, we’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Arnold Clark to our national dealer network.

“Our partnership with Arnold Clark, who are one of the biggest and most well- managed dealer groups in the country, is a significant move for MG, as it provides a strong retail platform for future growth and shows the MG brand and product range can attract even the largest retailers.”

MG opens yet another new dealership, this time, North of the Border, in Dunfermline, Scotland.

MG Motor UK has appointed East Port Garage to its national dealer network. Based in Dunfermline, Scotland, the family-owned business has more than fifty years’ experience in automotive maintenance and retail.

With a long-established reputation for top quality customer service and an excellent aftersales package, East Port Garage will retail MG’s latest models from its showroom on Halbeath Road. 

To mark the launch of the partnership, East Port Garage will host a family fun day on 16^th October. Featuring live music, food stalls and the chance to organise an MG test drive, there’s something for all the family to enjoy.

Stan Smart, Managing Director at East Port Garage, commented: “Joining the MG dealer network is really exciting news for the whole team. From the MG3 supermini to the family friendly MG GS SUV, we can’t wait to display the latest models in our showroom.”

Matthew Cheyne, Head of Sales and Marketing at MG Motor UK, added: “As one of Scotland’s leading car retailers, we’re thrilled that East Port Garage is joining our national dealer network.

“As the latest in a long line of UK dealer appointments, East Port Garage will play a pivotal role in providing motorists across the region with access to the latest MG models.”

Peugeot, Judy Murray & the Lawn Tennis Association collaborate further to bring Tennis to more Scottish regions.

• PEUGEOT provides new 508 to grow Judy Murray’s Tennis on the Road programme
• Tennis on the Road, supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) established to increase involvement in tennis across the UK
• New PEUGEOT will travel with Judy across Scotland to help promote the sport

PEUGEOT UK has served up an ace for Judy Murray’s Tennis on the Road scheme as it delivered a new 508 car to help the initiative reach the far corners of Scotland in the coming months.

The 508 will be a dependable steed for Judy as she travels across the country, bringing tennis to communities with little or no access to the sport.

Tennis on the Road, supported by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) shows parents, teachers, coaches, students, volunteers and sports development teams how to deliver fun and engaging starter sessions to children and young teenagers.

 

Through partnership with PEUGEOT, Tennis on the Road now has increased activation opportunities thanks to even better transportation increasing the amount of equipment that can be carried.

The new car is destined to visit another seven outreach locations across Scotland before the end of 2016, adding to a growing list of 40 schools which have benefitted from the scheme.

Judy Murray commented: “Tennis on the Road is about inspiring and supporting parents, teachers, volunteers and coaches to increase participation and grow tennis in their local areas using whatever space they have. You don’t need a tennis court to get kids started!

“Being able to attend the sessions at the various schools and tennis clubs is really important to me and having the PEUGEOT 508 will get me, and all my equipment, to as many of these as possible.”

Andrew Didlick Director of Communications, Events & Brand Partnerships said: “Tennis is an important part of the PEUGEOT brand; our brand ambassadors are Novak Djokovic and Jamie Murray, and we also support the LTA and ATP by providing Official Cars.

“Now, the addition of a PEUGEOT 508 to the Tennis on the Road team will help take the sport and the opportunities it brings to even more communities across Scotland, inspiring a new generation of potential ambassadors.”  

The stylish 508 features a spacious boot and is well-equipped with in-car technology, meaning that Judy will be able to to transport all necessary equipment and  remain connected with the Tennis on the Road team when travelling to remote parts of the country. The 508 joins a stablemate from PEUGEOT’s range of Commercial Vehicles as the brand also supplied a Boxer van to Tennis on the Road earlier this year.

To learn more about Tennis on the Road or if you are interested in getting the FREE roadshow to your local community, please go to www.tennisontheroad.com.