The SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) has announced that new car registrations rose by 0.03% to 128,853 units in January. They also reported that diesel and alternatively-fuelled cars increased the percentage of sales volumes, up 6.3% and 17.7% respectively.

The SMMT is predeciting that the new car market is expected to remain stable in 2012, dipping just 1% to 1.92 million units in 2012, before recovering in 2013.

“The January new car market held firm with 128,853 registrations, marginally up on January 2011, a welcome sign of stability in uncertain economic times,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “2012 is set to be an exciting year with record numbers of new models coming to market filled with innovative technology that will save the motorist fuel, enhance comfort and further increase levels of safety and security. However, to maintain market stability, government must act decisively and deliver much needed confidence to businesses and consumers.”

Highlights from the January figures;

• January’s performance was boosted by the private market, up 2.7% on January 2011 and further growth in the fleet sector (fleets of 25 plus).
• January typically accounts for around 7% of annual registrations, ahead of the key March new plate.
• Demand for diesel cars continues to rise and its market share moved from 50.5% a year ago to 53.7%, as many motorists look to ensure increased fuel efficiency.
• Registrations of alternatively fuelled vehicles also rose by 17.7% in the month and accounted for 1.6% of the market.
• Yet again, the Ford Fiesta was the best selling model in January 2012.
• Four of the top sellers were Superminis and this segment showed the largest rise in volumes during January, with growth in demand also reported for Luxury cars, Dual Purpose, Executive and Sports cars.
•  The market is expected to grow to 1.98 million units in 2013.

Contract hire offer

The Ford Fiesta is the nation’s favourite seller and we have contract hire prices for business leasing on the site from only £119.93+VAT. This rate is for the Ford Fiesta 1.25 Studio 3-door hatchback and is based on a three-year contract, 10,000 miles per annum, non-maintained, with a six rentals in advance payment, followed by 23 subsequent payments. 

If you are looking for affordable motoring then the Ford Fiesta 1.25 Studio returns 51.4 combined mpg and emits 127g/km of CO2, so it’s not only tax efficient but economical too. Other terms are available from our car finance partner so fill out a Contact Form today for more information.

Ford commercial vehicles

Ford’s centenary year has finished in style with the brand closing 2011 as the UK market leader, selling 265,894 cars, as final 2011 sales figures are released by the SMMT. Their top-selling vehicle range secured 15 per cent of the UK’s total 2011 market and there were also some other notable highlights in a tough trading year.

• They are the number one UK car brand for 35 successive years, with the Ford Fiesta the best seller for the third successive year, selling 96,112 vehicles.
• Ford commercial vehicles record sales increases compared to 2010 and the Transit remains the UK’s favourite van.
• The new Ford Focus (77,804 to 81,832 units) and C-MAX (8,357  to 18,925 units) ranges also recorded significant sales and share increases, when compared to 2010.
• The Ford Transit totalled 71,607 units, up from 62,308 in 2010. Ford Fiesta Van, Ford Transit Connect and Ford Ranger also saw sales increases.

Ford Fiesta

Mark Ovenden, Ford Britain managing director, said,”Ford’s 2011 sales performance benefitted from a combination of our best-ever range of vehicles, advanced technology engines, including the new low-CO2 EcoBoost engines, and the unrivalled strength of our dealer network”.

Mr Ovenden went on to say,”More  people choose Ford over any other vehicle brand in the UK and as we face economic uncertainty and intense competition in 2012 we will look to satisfy the needs of our private and business customers through the introduction of a number of new models and technologies, starting with the launch of the new Ford Ranger and the introduction of the 1.0-litre, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine in Ford Focus”.

The full range of Ford cars and vans are on the site now on Ford contract hire.

Ford Fiesta

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has just announced the December 2011 and 2011 full year new car registration figures, with the market down 4.4% at 1.94 million units sold. This was ahead of the 1.92 million forecast number however.

The December numbers fell by 3.7% year-on-year, at 119,188 units, and diesel and alternatively fuelled cars took record market shares over the year, as motorists look for best fuel economy and lower CO2 emissions.

The average new car CO2 emissions figure fell to a new low of 138.1g/km, which is down 4.2% on the 2010 number of 144.2g/km of CO2 and 23.7% below the 2000 figure of 181.0g/km.

Other highlights;

• Fleet sales maintained the new car registrations levels with a 4.7% growth year on year, from 973,233 in 2010 to 1,019,126 in 2011.
• Private registrations fell by 14.1% for the year from 958,005 to 823,094.
• Business (sub-25 fleet) registrations were flat (99,608 in 2010 to 99,033 in 2011).
• Diesel volumes outsold petrol cars for the first time.
• The Ford Fiesta was the best selling car in 2011, with the Volkswagen Golf the best selling diesel model.

Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, commented,”2011 proved to be a challenging year for the UK motor industry. Total new car registrations were slightly ahead of industry expectations at 1.94 million units, still down 4.4% on 2010. Weak economic growth will make trading conditions tough in 2012, but record numbers of new and updated models, significantly improved fuel efficiency and exciting new technologies will help to encourage consumers into showrooms. Business and consumer confidence will be the key to a successful year, so it will be important that government delivers on its growth strategy and helps to resolve instability in the Euro Zone”.

If you are looking to contract hire a new car in 2012 and want to find the best model for your money, with the lowest CO2 emissions and best fuel economy then do try our Vehicle Type Shopper. You can select how much you want to spend, your CO2 ranges and the best fuel efficient cars too.

Click for the personal contract hire offer

The Ford Fiesta is one of the UK’s best sellers and we have a Ford Fiesta 1.25 Studio 3-door hatchback personal contract hire with maintenance special offer on the site, from only £167.04 including VAT. That’s around £42 a week to drive a brand new Ford Fiesta for the New Year. Best of all its a fully maintained contract too, so all routine servicing, vehicle excise duty (RFL), mechanical repair, tyres , batteries and exhausts is covered by the contract as well.

The terms of the offer are based on a two year contract period, 6 rentals in advance, 10,000 miles per annum with full maintenance cover included. Other terms are available from our car finance partner. Combined mpg is 51.4 and CO2 emissions are just 127g/km so it’s pretty economical as well as affordable too.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has released the October new car registrations data and the new car market seems to have stabilised. The total UK car sales in October were 134,944 units (up 2.6%) and this is the second increase in three months. The market is still on track to achieve the full year prediction of 1.923 million units, however the SMMT remains cautious about sales in 2012.

Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive, said,”October’s new car market rose 2.6% on last year -a positive result despite the uncertain economic climate. We expect market conditions to remain challenging and hope the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement later this month will help to boost economic growth and consumer confidence”.

Headlines from the October data

• Registrations in October were helped by a sharp recovery in the small car markets, with the Supermini segment up 17.4% and the Mini segment up 4.7%
• The Ford Fiesta was the best selling model on October and year to date
• The Volkswagen Golf was the best selling diesel model in October
• The Fleet market (25 vehicles and above) grew by 7.9% to 73,712 car units registered
• Business regsitrations (sub 25 fleets) was also up by 9.7% to 6,189 units
• Private sector (consumers) fell by 4.3% to 55,043 units

Ford Fiesta

Ford has extended its market share in October as the UK’s overall sales leader in car sales (compared to October 2010) as the latest car and van registration sales data is released by the SMMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders). Total car sales year-on-year for the overall market were up 2.6% at 134,944, however Ford’s car share was 13.7%, selling 18,476 units in October.

Ford Transit

The Ford Fiesta was the UK’s best seller in October and the Fiesta and Ford Focus were the number 1 and 2 best sellers, year-to-date. Ford also topped the UK commercial vehicle (CV) sales with the Transit, capturing 21.7% of sales in the medium CV sector in October and 24.8% for the year to date sales position. Ford’s whole product range also performed well with strong sales reported for the C-MAX, Ford Kuga and Ford Galaxy as well.

Mark Ovenden, Ford of Britain managing director, said,”Ford comfortably beat the positive trend in the UK car market in October, which is a great credit to our strong dealer network. Against intense competition our best-ever vehicle range is helping to strengthen Ford’s continued UK market leadership. Particulary pleasing is the success of our most recently launched models such as the Focus and C-MAX, which are boosting customer appreciation of the distinctive attributes of the blue oval brand”.

CLICK for more details of the offer

The Ford Fiesta 1.4 TDCI (70hp) Style 5-door hatchback is on offer on the site on Ford business car leasing from only £130.19+VAT per month. The Ford Fiesta is one of the UK’s best selling cars and the Ford Fiesta Diesel Style offers a remarkable combined mpg of 68.9 and CO2 emissions of just 107g/km making it highly economical to run and tax efficient too.

The terms of the offer are based on a 4-year deal, non-maintained business car leasing, 10,000 miles per annum, payment profile of 6 initial rentals, followed by 47 payments, with other terms available on request from our finance partner. If you are interested in leasing a Ford Fiesta Diesel Style then Contact our finance partner today.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has just released the new car registrations data for September 2011 which saw 332,476 new cars registered, down 0.8% on last year. The main growth in the new car sector came from “Fleet” registrations (companies who have a fleet of vehicles greater than 25 vehicles) which grew by 7.3%, while private registrations were down by 9.3%. 

Business (sub-25 fleets) also reported a 13.4% growth year-on-year from 18,266 units in 2010, to 20,707 in 2011. The SMMT expects the full new year car market to end 5.3% lower than 2010, at around 1.92 million units. Average new car CO2 emissions also fell by 4.0% to 138.5g/km and the top car models sold in September were as follows;

1. Fiesta – 15,647
2. Focus – 14,754
3. Corsa – 14,339
4. Golf – 10,628
5. Astra – 10,462
6. Polo – 8,607
7. Insignia – 7,323
8. MINI – 6,903
9. 3 Series – 6,352
10. Qashqai – 6,068

Ford Kuga

One of our leasing partners, FordRetailOnline, has just loaded a batch of special offers with some great discounts. The Ford car lease special offers are based on three year contracts, 10,000 miles per annum, non-maintained contract hire with an initial rental of only three in advance. Availability on these models is on a first come first served basis.

Here are their offers – which have been loaded today

1. Ford Fiesta 1.25 Edge 3-door 60 PS with metallic paint FOC now from £137.17+VAT per month
2. Ford Focus 1.6i 105PS Zetec 5-door hatch with metallic paint FOC from £219.90+VAT per month
3. Ford Kuga TDCI FWD Zetec with metallic paint from £267.07+VAT per month
4. Ford Mondeo 1.6i Ecoboost Zetec with Start/Stop 5-door with metallic paint FOC from £228.55 +VAT per month
5. Ford S-Max Zetec 2.0 TDCi 140PS MPV from £281.96+VAT per month
6. Ford Galaxy Zetec 2.0 TDCi 140 PS from £327.29 +VAT per month

Vans – 4 year contracts (3+47 payment profile)

1. Ford Transit 280 SWB Low Roof 2.2 TDci 85PS from £227.70+VAT per month 
2. Ford Transit Connect 200 SWB Low Roof 1.8 TDCi 75PS from £199.29+VAT per month