Dealerships reopen with widest choice

12th April 2021

With showrooms opening again today, research from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has found that car buyers have more choice than ever before.

The latest analysis reveals that there are now 462 individual car models available in around 4,650 standard specifications augmented by an almost infinite number of options. With the widest ever choice of zero-emission cars – accounting for one in three available models – consumers will also have a near limitless choice of mobility options as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Despite the variety available and anticipated consumer demand, the industry has warned that a full recovery by the end of the year remains highly challenging. New car registrations during the first quarter of the year were 37.1% down on the average for 2010-2019, and for levels to return to ‘normal’ by the end of the year would require keys to a new car being handed over every 12 seconds.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “After one of the hardest years in living memory for everyone, reopening showrooms today takes the handbrake off UK Auto. With the widest and greenest choice of cars ever seen, unleashing pent up consumer demand can accelerate the industry’s recovery and that of the economy. As the automotive sector counts the cost of £22.2bn lost in turnover during the pandemic, we hope today marks the start of that recovery, as well as giving consumers ever more choice for their motoring needs.”