Strong first half of year for registrations

The latest figures from the SMMT, The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, show that new bus and coach registrations have grown 17.2% to 4,679 units in the first six months of 2015, with a 32% growth for the month of June.

SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes, said, ‘Demand for buses and coaches has seen a resurgence in 2015, as the first six months of the year demonstrate continued confidence of UK operators as they invest in their fleets. We have seen significant growth in all sectors of the market so far this year – but with the holiday season well underway and demand for coaches easing, it was the bus market that led the way in June.’

In total, there were 842 buses and coaches registered in June, an increase of 32% on June last year. The rolling figure now sits at 8037, up 2.5% compared to the same period in 2014. The purpose built bus total for the month is 277, a growth of 0.7%, with a rolling year total of 2820, showing a 6.4% increase. Coach registrations total just 75, a decline of 12.8% but with a rolling growth of 8.5% across 987 vehicles. There were 490 converted buses registered, up 76.9%, making a rolling total of 4230, down 1.2%.

June’s registrations by marque (with 2014’s in brackets) are as follows: ADL 85 (163), Wrightbus 44(37), Volvo Bus 110 (46), Mercedes-Benz (excluding Setra) 24 (32), Optare 39 (22), Scania 17 (33), VDL 7 (3), Van Hool 9 (9), Yutong 8 (0), Irizar 7 (3), Neoplan 0 (6) MAN (excluding Neoplan) 0 (1), King Long 0 (1), Setra 2 (1), Caetano 0 (0), Irisbus 0 (0) other imports (0) 4.