Wider bus sector weighted down by weak minibus market
The UK’s new bus, coach and minibus market plummeted by 50.6% in the second quarter of the year, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It reported that just 1,465 units were sold as demand settles down following two strong years of fleet renewal.
Sales have now decreased four quarters in a row, with the latest decline driven by a 70.9% fall in minibus registrations, from 1,803 units to 525. Double-decker registrations were down 20.1% to 413 units and single-deckers fell by 18.7% to 527 units.
Meanwhile, zero emission bus registrations fell 37% to 388 units but increased their market share from 20.8% last year to 26.5%. Across the first half of the year, zero emission vehicles accounted for 32.1% of the market.
Zero emission
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “While bus registrations continue to decline, this remains something of a normalisation after two exceptionally strong years of investment. Zero emission buses continue to outperform the wider market, however, resulting in an increasing share and helping provide green mobility across the country.
“Manufacturers have invested heavily into these new technologies, and continued government support can drive up the fleet renewal needed to ensure the UK benefits from a cleaner bus network.”
