[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-car-sales-2017\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-car-sales-2017\/","headline":"Car sales fell in 2017 – but it isn’t all bad","name":"Car sales fell in 2017 – but it isn’t all bad","description":"The figures for 2017\u2019s new car sales are in and, on the face of it, it was a year to forget. Last year was the first since 2011 where Britain\u2019s new car market retracted. It wasn\u2019t just a minor slip-up either: 2017 suffered a 5.7 per cent decline compared to the year before, representing a drop-off of more than 152,000 units. Much of the fall has been pinned on sales of diesel cars, which were down by close to a […]","datePublished":"2018-01-05","dateModified":"2018-01-08","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/#Person","name":"Matthew Collett","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/matthew-collett\/","identifier":5,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/64eca1152247aa111ace79ff1c03782b175df9dc21d2092364ff21e1cf5e38fa?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/67-DS3-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/01\/67-DS3-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-car-sales-2017\/","about":["BLOG"],"wordCount":377,"keywords":["ford fiesta","ford focus","mercedes a-class","Mercedes C-Class","MINI Hatch","new car sales figures","new cars","Nissan Qashqai","vauxhall astra","Vauxhall Corsa","VW Golf","VW Polo"],"articleBody":"The figures for 2017\u2019s new car sales are in and, on the face of it, it was a year to forget.Last year was the first since 2011 where Britain\u2019s new car market retracted. It wasn\u2019t just a minor slip-up either: 2017 suffered a 5.7 per cent decline compared to the year before, representing a drop-off of more than 152,000 units.Much of the fall has been pinned on sales of diesel cars, which were down by close to a fifth (17.1 per cent) – the symptom of confusing anti-diesel messages from the government, some say.Sales in December fell by 14.4 per cent compared to the same month a year earlier, making it the ninth consecutive monthly decline.Reasons to smileAll these figures come from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) – the organisation which crunches all the numbers regarding new car registrations in the UK – and, taken on face value, they paint a very discouraging picture.However, in context, it\u2019s really not so bad at all; in fact, there are actually reasons to be positive.With more than 2.5 million new cars finding buyers in 2017, the year was the third strongest in a decade, with only 2015 and 2016 – two record-setting years – performing better.There was good news for the alternatively fuelled vehicle market too, which grew by more than a third (+34.8 per cent) in 2017.A record number of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars were registered, resulting in the sector\u2019s biggest chunk of annual market share (4.7 per cent).As such, Britain buys more plug-in cars than anywhere else in Europe, as UK demand grew by a quarter.\u2018Demand historically high\u2018Mike Hawes, chief executive of the SMMT, agreed that the decline in the new car market was concerning, but pointed out that demand remained at historically high levels.\u201cMore than 2.5 million people drove away in a new car last year, benefiting from the latest, safest, cleanest and most fuel-efficient technology,\u201d he commented.\u201cFalling business and consumer confidence is undoubtedly taking a toll and confusing anti-diesel messages have caused many to hesitate before buying a new low-emission diesel car.\u201dTop ten best-selling cars of 2017:Ford Fiesta – 94,533 unitsVolkswagen Golf – 74,605Ford Focus – 69,903Nissan Qashqai – 64,216Vauxhall Corsa – 52,772Vauxhall Astra – 49,370Volkswagen Polo – 47,855Mini Hatch – 47,669Mercedes-Benz C-Class – 45,912Mercedes-Benz A-Class – 43,717"},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Car sales fell in 2017 – but it isn’t all bad","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/new-car-sales-2017\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]