‘Pleasing increase’ in registrations

The past few months have seen growth in UK bus and coach registrations, reaching 623 units in November, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, ‘The bus and coach market has experienced a pleasing increase in the last four months, with registrations in November up 38.4%. There has been a move towards cleaner vehicles with a good uptake of hybrid buses this month, adding to the growth. The year started slowly for the sector and registrations so far in 2013 are marginally down compared with 2012. Although the recent rate of growth is encouraging, we remain cautiously optimistic for 2014.’

There were 623 buses and coaches registered overall in November 2013. This lead to a rolling year total of 7,476, down 7.7% on 2012’s figure. The purpose built bus total was 230, up 21.7%, making for a rolling year figure of 2,827, down 7.6%. There were 46 purpose built coaches registered, a 91.7% increase, leading to a rolling year total of 824, a rise of 16.7%. There were 347 converted buses and coaches registered, up 46.4% on last November’s number, making for a rolling year total of 3,825, down 11.7%.

November’s registrations by marque (with November 2012’s figures in brackets) were: ADL 91 (84), Volvo Bus 55 (53), Wrightbus 70 (0), Optare 29 (29), Scania 3 (14), VDL 3 (20), Iris Bus 5 (2), Mercedes-Benz 8 (2), Van Hool 3 (3), Neoplan 4 (6), Setra 1 (0), MAN 0 (0), Irizar 2 (0), King Long 2 (0), other imports 0 (0) and Bova 0 (0).