Big sales changes
June 8th, 2009 by Richard Aucock
ALFA Romeo UP 42%. Chrysler DOWN 82%. SsangYong UP 42%. Renault DOWN 64%. They’re not the only ones.
May’s latest new car sales figures from the SMMT show a real changing of the guard is under way…
Only 7 brands increased sales during May – and, other than Alfa Romeo, they were all from the value end of the UK car market.
Contrast that with the 35 brands that suffered sales declines – and that’s NOT including the UK’s smallest car brands!
As the recession bites in the UK, the SMMT figures show how new car buyers are changing their buying patterns.
French car makers have been particularly badly hit. Not only is Renault down by nearly two-thirds, but Peugeot is down by a third, and Citroen sales declined by 26 percent.
Korean brands Hyundai and Kia actually overtook Renault in terms of overall sales during may – a significant change.
Ford retained top spot, with Vauxhall in second and VW third.
Peugeot was still fourth, but Toyota, Audi and BMW were all close on its heels.
So who were the seven makers who were a hit in May?
• Alfa Romeo – UP 42.8%
• SsangYong – UP 42%
• Hyundai – UP 36.6%
• Chevrolet – UP 21.7%
• Kia – UP 20.5%
• Suzuki – UP 14.2%
• Proton – UP 2.2%
Ford small car sales ‘full recovery’