Registrations continue to struggle

Purpose built bus and coach registrations in July fell to 263 units, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). SMMT Bus and Coach Manager, Wendy Williamson, said, ‘The bus and coach sector continues to struggle when compared to last year, with registrations for the market falling 19.1% in the month and down 21% for the year-to-date. One bright spot has seen some steady growth for purpose-built coaches, which saw a rise of 10.5% in July raising the year-to-date registrations by 8.6%. However, this has not been enough to lift the whole market. Last year’s strong, Olympics-boosted market has led to a steady downward trend this year. We expect to see registrations level off as we approach the end of 2013.’
In July, there were 179 purpose built buses registered, down 29.8% on the same month last year, leading to a rolling year total of 2,610, down 23.6%. The purpose built coach registration total was 84, up 10.5%, making for a rolling year total of 747, an 8.1% decline. Combined, the figure for purpose built coach and bus registrations came to 263, down 20.5%, leading to a rolling year total of 3,357, a 20.6% drop. There were 240 converted buses registered, down 17.5%. The rolling year total for this vehicle category is 3,582, down 10.1%. Overall, there were 503 buses and coaches registered in July, a 19.1% decrease, with a rolling year total down 15.5% at 6,939.
Registrations by marque (July 2012 figures in brackets) are: ADL 67 (83), Volvo Bus 39 (59), Scania 26 (50), Optare 31 (54), Wrightbus 23 (8), VDL (excluding Bova) 9 (35), Iris Bus 7 (6), Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 16 (31), Neoplan 4 (2), Van Hool 7 (1), Setra 25 (0), MAN (excluding Neoplan) 0 (0), Irizar 3 (0), King Long 4 (2), other imports 2 (0) and Bova 0 (0).

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