Market down 21.3% in first half

Overall bus and coach registrations declined 21.3% for the first half of the year to 3,861 units, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). In June, registrations fell 30.6% compared to the same month in 2012, with 636 recorded. SMMT Bus and Coach Manager, Wendy Williamson, said, ‘Although coaches posted a 12.5% increase in the month, the overall purpose built bus and coach total fell 39.5%. Last year the 2012 Olympics led to a sharp rise in registrations for the first half of the year with volumes falling after July. This should see registrations for the second half of 2013 level off, stabilising for the end of the year.’

For all buses and coaches, the rolling year total of registrations was 7,058, down 10.9%. There were 240 purpose built buses registered in the month, down 46.1%, with a rolling year total of 2,686, a fall of 19.4%. Purpose built coach registrations numbered 63, which is up 12.5%, making for a rolling year total of 739, down 6.8%. There was a 20% decrease in converted bus registrations in June, leading to a rolling year figure of 3,633, down 4.3%.

Registrations by marque (June 2012 figures in brackets) are: Alexander Dennis Ltd 91 (272), Volvo Bus 67 (144), Scania 35 (15), Optare 31 (20), Wrightbus 31 (8), VDL (excluding Bova) 11 (0), Iris Bus 4 (6), Neoplan 4 (10), Van Hool 8 (5), Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 3 (14), MAN (excluding Neoplan) 0 (2), Irizar 13 (0), King Long 4 (2), Setra 0 (1), other imports 1 (2) and Bova 0 (0).