BUS AND COACH TRENDS
11 December 2006 - SMMT

Recent registration trends contrast with good year to date

Rolling year total down 5.4% to 11,968 versus the same period last year.
Registrations for the three months to November down 4.6% to 2,910, year-on-year.
Heavy buses down 15.2% for the three months to November on same period in 2005.

Year-to-date registrations up 4.3% to 2,742, compared to the same period last year.
‘Earlier this year bus and coach registrations ran ahead of industry expectations, on the back of orders won last year,’ said Christopher Macgowan, SMMT Chief Executive. ‘More recently the registration rate slowed, reflecting a drop in orders some months earlier. As order intake remained low, registrations too will remain low for some time, with mini bus registrations down after a modest revival in the Spring. Across all other sectors the annual trend remains positive.’

November’s rolling year total for bus and coach registrations was 11,968. This figure has dropped since May, due to faltering mini bus registrations. The heavier bus and coach totals remain above 3,000 and 1,100 respectively on a rolling year basis. Continued uncertainty could mean fewer orders, but the change may be modest.

After a generally good start to the year for all sectors, registrations trends have changed since May. Registrations slowed for mini buses and buses in the 3.5 and 8.5t gvw sectors. Elsewhere the demand and registration trends are more varied, but the October and November results show the drop in orders earlier this year. These symptoms may continue into 2007, with the added distortion of seasonal order patterns and legal changes to the operating environment.

The following table and charts give more details of annual trends by gross vehicle weight.

If you have any questions, please call Robin Dickeson on +44(0)2 073 449 222

Mobile +44 (0)7 974 435 641 E-mail: rdickeson@smmt.co.uk

November 2006 bus and coach registration data

New bus and coach registrations in the United Kingdom – 2006

November
% change*
YTD 2006
% change*
Rolling year

at November 2006

Total buses and coaches
848
- 16.2%
11,061
- 4.6%
11,968

Buses above 8.5t
157
41.4%
2,742
4.3%
3,002


Single-deck buses:

minibuses to 3.5t
374
- 25.2%
4,531
- 8.9%
4,947

3.5 – 8.5t
274
- 48.9%
2,750
- 6.7%
2,907

8.5 – 16t
73
- 44.3%
1,184
9.2%
1,235

16t +
51
- 10.5%
753
6.7%
858

Single-deck buses total
772
- 11.5%
9,281
- 5.1%
9,947

16t + double-deck buses
33
- 58.8%
805
3.9%
909

All buses
805
- 15.4%
10,023
- 5.0%
10,856

All coaches
43
- 28.3%
1,038
- 0.5%
1,112

Coaches 3.5 – 16t
4
- 69.2%
143
- 37.6%
160

Coaches 16t+
39
- 17.0%
895
10.0%
952

The statistics in the above table are based on all vehicles registered in the UK with a bus and coach body. The data covers all vehicles, from minibuses to double-deck buses and coaches.

Notes

*NB: Percentage changes are on the same period a year before

YTD: Year-to-date

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