British Vehicles Market in 2019 signed the third consecutive year of decline, waiting for the effect of BREXIT. Indeed, the full year ended with 2.301.876 sales, down 2.7%. Ford kept the market share, despite the current market share at just 10.1% is the lowest since the II World War. Vauxhall dropped in 5th place.
Economic Environment
British economy appeared to perform poorly in the fourth quarter, as elevated political uncertainty weighed on activity. Both the services and manufacturing PMIs were in contractionary territory in the period, with firms blaming Brexit and weak external conditions for the soft patch. The labor market, however, remained a chink of positivity: In August–October, employment returned to growth and wage gains were robust, which should be supporting private consumption somewhat.
Meanwhile, in politics, the Conservative Party won an absolute majority in the December elections. As a result, the UK should leave the EU by end-January, and the new administration will likely implement fiscal stimulus, supporting economic activity. However, the government’s recent decision to legislate against an extension to the transition period—which will run until end-2020—leaves the possibility of a no-deal exit next year, which will keep investment muted.
Market Trend
The referendum on BREXIT in the 2016 found the national automotive industry on the top of its glorious history. Following five years of consecutive grow, the light vehicles market hit in that year the All Time record sales with 3.06 million units and was the fourth largest in the World.
After the referendum the industry trend mirrored the British economy and was prolonged decline started, waiting for the announced collapse after BREXIT will become effective. Indeed, the light vehicles market felt down both in 2017 and 2018, while the rest of Europe was growing without uncertain, and in the 2018 sales have been 2.72 million, of which 2.36 were car passenger, at the lower level out of last 5 years.
According to data released by the Royal Minister of Transportation, in 2019 the market signed the third decline in a row. Indeed, the full year ended with 2.301.876 sales, down 2.7% and the LCVs segment is declining as well.
Considered local brands and always involved in the country with several plants and million units produced per year, Ford and Opel (locally under the brand Vauxhall) were the market leaders controlling a heavy market share until a decade ago. Nowadays, both brands have lost steam on the market. However, Ford manages to stay on top of the list with a market share declined at 14% since the 2015 and has further lost at 10.1%. Opel/Vauxhall collapsed in these years losing the second place in the 2017 and actually ranking in fifth, behind to BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen, with only 6.7% of market share.
Tables with sales figures
In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group and top 10 Models
