Car figures down

The latest car figures out today are a cause for deepening anxiety with the government’s confusion over diesel cars compounding faltering consumer confidence and Brexit uncertainty, Unite warned today (March 5).

Just under 81,000 new cars were registered in February – down 2.8 per cent on the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). This was driven by a 23.5 per cent fall in the number of new diesel cars bought.

Diesel demand drop

The latest figures come after successive months of declining numbers. Last year, diesel sales experienced a sharp 17.1 per cent drop.

The SMMT said the decline in diesel demand meant that consumers were keeping their cars for longer, which it called ‘disappointing’ considering the “latest cars are the cleanest in history and can help address air quality issues.”

Unite national officer Des Quinn agreed, criticising the government for misleading the public about new diesel engines.

“The Euro 6 engine produced by Unite members in Dagenham is the cleanest diesel engine in existence and without it all manufacturers will be harmed as they will not be able to meet their emissions targets,” he said. “This will do far more harm to the environment than good.”

Commenting on the latest figures, Quinn said they “will be a cause of deepening anxiety for the UK’s world class car workers.

“Confusion over diesel cars prompted by badly thought through ministerial announcements has been compounded by faltering consumer confidence and Brexit uncertainty,” he added.

“Car workers and manufacturing communities will be looking to the government to get the economy out of the slow lane and provide certainty over the UK’s future trading relationship with Europe in order to unlock stalling car manufacturer investment.

“A failure by ministers to do so will jeopardise the UK’s status as world leader in car manufacturing and undo the hard work of Britain’s car workers.”