news release
Q2 sees highest figures since 2009
Superminis enjoy the biggest year on year sales increase
Nottingham, UK, 04 September 2013 – Experian®, the global information services company, today published its latest Used Car Index which revealed the highest quarterly sales figures for used cars since Q1 2009.
A total of 1,804,871 used cars were sold from April to June 2013, compared to 1,726,627 in Q2 2012, an overall rise of 4.5 per cent and the first year-on-year increase in sales during Q2 since records began in 2005.
All segments, bar one, experienced a significant rise in sales compared to Q2 2012. Leading the rise was the best-selling Supermini segment, incorporating the Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta, with a 7.5 per cent increase. The only segment to buck the rise in sales was the Upper Medium segment, in which sales dropped by 3.2 per cent and includes models such as the Ford Mondeo and the Audi A4.
The growing popularity of hybrid and electric models continues with rises of 35.5 and 14.3 per cent respectively. Petrol models, which still represent over 65 per cent of used car sales, also saw uplift in sales albeit at a smaller rise of 1.1 per cent.
Regionally the South East was the best performing region with the biggest year-on-year increase of 6.9 per cent. At the other end of the scale, but still seeing an impressive increase was Greater London selling 1.6 per cent more models in Q2 2013.
The Ford Focus remains the best-selling used car with over 159,000 units sold between April to June 2013.
Andrew Ballard, Principle Consultant at Experian Automotive, commented: “Sales data is an indicator of the overall health of the automotive industry in the UK so the four year high seen in Q2 is a positive sign, especially when teamed with the upward trend in new car sales. Sales are clearly being driven by the popular Supermini segment and it now accounts for a third of all the used cars sold in the UK. This type of intelligence is invaluable information for forward thinking automotive businesses and dealers wanting to build the optimum stock mix.”
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Contact:
Natalie Fox
PR Manager
0115 992 2645
natalie.fox@uk.experian.com
About Experian
Experian is the leading global information services company, providing data and analytical tools to clients around the world. The Group helps businesses to manage credit risk, prevent fraud, target marketing offers and automate decision making. Experian also helps individuals to check their credit report and credit score, and protect against identity theft.
Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Total revenue for the year ended 31 March 2013 was US$4.7 billion. Experian employs approximately 17,000 people in 40 countries and has its corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, with operational headquarters in Nottingham, UK; California, US; and São Paulo, Brazil.
For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com.