The official count is in – and, unsurprisingly, 2008 was a glum year for new-car sales in the United Kingdom. Total registrations fell by 11.3%, buoyed by a strong first-half performance but pulled down by the accelerated slowdown in the last few months of the year.
The drop won’t surprise anyone who’s seen a newspaper, web report or TV bulletin in the past few months. But it’s not all bad news. We’ve pored over the 2008 new-car sales figures and analysed the data to see who’s suffered most and who’s actually managed to post an increase in these tough conditions.
Below are the full UK new-car sales figures, arranged by order of percentage growth or decline. The companies at the top of the page can congratulate themselves; the lower down the page you go, the deeper the do-do.
2019 UK new car sales analysis
WINNERS
Seven manufacturers managed to produce positive growth last year. Disregard the quirks of MG and Hummer sales, and you’re left with a handful of brands who enjoyed genuine success in a hard market. Total 2008 UK new-car sales, % change over 2007.
MG 133 +13,200%
Hummer 174 +185%
Smart 7526 +43%
Dodge 3911 +20%
Volvo 33,358 +11%
Jaguar 20,346 +9%
Kia 31,324 +7%
DOING OK
A baker’s dozen held static or posted single-digit decline in 2008. Interestingly, this category included the three German premium giants, but the decidedly mainstream Nissan should be congratulated for holding level in a tough market. Total 2008 UK new-car sales, % change over 2007.
Audi 100,845 0%
Chevrolet 18,372 0%
Nissan 66,336 0%
Mazda 49,858 -2%
Daihatsu 4841 -4%
Hyundai 28,036 -6%
BMW 113,132 -7%
Fiat 55,325 -7%
Skoda 37,100 -7%
Ford 322,514 -8%
Lotus 647 -9%
Mercedes-Benz 74,883 -9%
VW 179,189 -9%
LOSERS
The majority of car companies suffered double-digit falls last year. The further down this list you go, the redder the faces in the boardroom. The problem is, the coming 12 months are likely to be at least as tough… Total 2008 UK new-car sales, % change over 2007.
Vauxhall 298,912 -10%
Daimler 33 -11%
Toyota 105,717 -11%
Mini 40,736 -15%
Seat 29,397 -16%
Citroen 81,237 -17%
Mitsubishi 15,552 -18%
Alfa Romeo 5950 -19%
Peugeot 118,701 -19%
Perodua 624 -19%
Honda 83,805 -21%
Suzuki 26,095 -21%
Subaru 4668 -23%
Bentley 1542 -27%
Aston Martin 1565 -29%
Renault 89,570 -29%
Land Rover 32,567 -30%
Porsche 5918 -31%
Saab 16,074 -32%
Lexus 10,122 -33%
Jeep 4062 -34%
Proton 1518 -39%
Cadillac 171 -50%
Ssangyong 629 -53%
Corvette 13 -75%
Tata 1 -80%
Rover 2 -97%
>> Any surprises? Click ‘Add your comment’ to analyse the 2008 new-car registration figures