As the crucial September plate change looms, the automotive market is seeing a significant uptick in activity, with new data from Auto Trader revealing a 7% increase in new car visits compared to the previous month. This surge is not only a positive signal for the upcoming sales period but also marks an 8% year-on-year growth, underscoring a renewed consumer interest in the latest automotive offerings.
Leading the charge in August, MG has emerged as the UK’s hottest electric brand, a status largely attributed to its aggressive marketing and sales tactics. The all-electric MG ZS and MG4 models have been at the forefront, benefiting from strategic discounts, deposit contributions, and attractive finance offers. The result? MG has more than doubled its share of new electric vehicle (EV) enquiries, catapulting it to the top of the EV brand rankings with an impressive 16% share. This performance has placed MG well ahead of competitors like Hyundai and Honda, which garnered 8.2% and 7.8% of enquiries, respectively.
Auto Trader’s data highlights a broader trend of increasing consumer choice in the new car market. Since January, there has been a 23% increase in physical stock listed on the platform, offering buyers nearly 20,000 brand-new cars to choose from. This expansion in available inventory, coupled with competitive pricing strategies, is proving to be a successful formula for attracting buyers. The average discount on new cars has seen a slight increase from 8.7% in July to 8.9% in August, with EVs receiving even more significant price cuts—up from 6.6% to 10.9% over the past year.
BMW has also enjoyed a strong performance in August, particularly in the EV sector, where it commands 11.5% of electric advert views. When considering all fuel types, BMW leads the pack, accounting for 13.6% of all new car enquiries and an impressive 19.5% of advert views. The brand’s broad appeal is reflected in its dominant presence across multiple segments, from the luxury SUV market with models like the X5 to high-performance sedans such as the M3.
Land Rover remains a formidable contender in the overall rankings, with the Defender 110 reclaiming its position as the UK’s most in-demand new car. The brand captured 12.9% of all new car enquiries, closely trailing BMW and reinforcing its status as a favorite among British buyers.
As September approaches, Auto Trader’s insights suggest a robust market primed for growth. The platform’s data-driven approach, combined with targeted marketing efforts, aims to drive even more highly engaged buyers to the expanding array of new cars available. For retailers, this presents a golden opportunity to capitalize on the increased traffic and secure a strong finish to the year.
Bex Kennett, Auto Trader’s New Car Performance Director, encapsulates this sentiment: “September remains a vital selling month for the new car market. Despite broader challenges, the robust performance we’re seeing on our platform should be a cause for optimism. We’ve just launched our largest-ever consumer marketing campaign, focusing on driving many more highly engaged new car buyers to the 20,000 new cars advertised on our platform. I’d urge retailers not to miss out on the opportunity and make sure their stock is where buyers will be looking for their next new car over the coming weeks.”
