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New car buyer preferences have changed significantly over the years, from petrol to diesel to electrified but it seems that, when it comes to colour, change is glacial. SMMT data published this week shows grey remained Britain’s most popular tint for the eighth year running, with more than a quarter of the 2.02 million new cars joining our roads last year coated in the shade – be it graphite grey, stone, meteor or another. It symbolises the safe and cautious approach that many consumers take when it comes to making a major purchase – only the brave opting for turquoise or pink, for example, with fewer than 100 such cars registered last year.
More still prefer a monochrome finish with black proving Britain’s second most popular, while silver returning to the top five for the first time in a decade – pushing once prevalent red into sixth place. It was green, however, that attracted the greatest percentage growth, up 46.3% to cover almost 100,000 new cars – emblematic of the UK’s ever greener make-up of models, with more than 160 different EVs available last year. Indeed, there are many ways in which manufacturers are responding to driver preferences, providing the choice – from model range and spec to aesthetic and in-car tech – that consumers want when considering whether to make a purchase.
Motorists in the UK benefit from an open and competitive new car market, with cutting-edge products from around the world and indeed Britain’s own globally renowned brands. The global automotive industry is highly interconnected so the UK’s international relations matter – and none more so than with Europe, the top export location for British-built cars and our biggest source of imported cars and EVs. SMMT is increasingly engaging in Brussels and we were pleased to visit this week, meeting key stakeholders and hosting a dinner for our member network, comprising EU government representatives of OEMs and suppliers. It provided an important opportunity to discuss the latest political developments as we enter a crucial phase of UK-EU competitiveness, with more stringent rules of origin for electrified vehicles due to come into force at the turn of next year and, this year, the EU developing a “made in EU” agenda with specific proposals for automotive.
Timely and constructive engagement is vital and SMMT is looking forward to further opportunities as we welcome the global industry to London for our flagship Electrified conference on 12 March – a day of focused discussion and networking that will help drive the EV transition. With more than 1,000 senior representatives expected to attend, an exciting line-up of speakers already announced, and more to come, the event is not to be missed so book your tickets here while they last.
SMMT is the voice of the UK motor industry, supporting and promoting its members’ interests, at home and abroad, to government, stakeholders and the media.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers & Traders,
71 Great Peter Street,
London, SW1P 2BN
