May’s market performs ‘more modestly’
According to SMMT’s latest figures, registrations in the bus and coach market declined by 22 units in May following a surge in April, with 644 registered in all, leading to a rolling year total of 7,839, up 6.8%
However, the year-to-date figure remains up 4.1%. SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said, ‘After a glut of new bus and coach registrations in April, the sector performed more modestly in May, down 3.3%. While the purpose built sector suffered a 27.7% reduction versus May 2013, converted bus registrations fared better with 31.9% growth. The positive results for the 12 months to May (up 6.8%) and for the year-to-date (up 4.1%) are a solid base for the remainder of 2014.’
Purpose built bus registrations for May totalled 198, down 36.5% compared to April, leading to a rolling year total of 2,616, down 9.5%. There were 86 purpose built coaches registered, up 6.2%, making for a rolling year figure of 887, a 21.2% rise. Converted bus registrations totalled 360, up 31.9%, leading to a rolling year total of 4,336, up 16.7%.
Bus and coach registrations by marque (with May 2013’s figures in brackets) are:
- Volvo Bus 55 (72)
- Wrightbus 70 (47)
- ADL 53 (147)
- Scania 39 (37)
- Optare 14 (13)
- VDL 6 (14)
- Van Hool 14 (14)
- Setra 2 (0)
- Neoplan 7 (12)
- Irizar 4 (9)
- Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 2 (4)
- other imports 11 (4)
- King Long 6 (0)
- MAN (excluding Neoplan) 1 (3)
- Iris Bus 0 (17)