Car Sales up 6.5% in January 2012

[punchdrunk]

Car sales are up 6.5% in January compared with the same month last year. The number of new goods vehicles licensed in January was up 11.7% from a year earlier. Looks like the doom and gloom merchants got it wrong.

[westernyelp]

Green shoots anyone?

[TropicalCandy]

Car sales are up 6.5% in January compared with the same month last year. The number of new goods vehicles licensed in January was up 11.7% from a year earlier. Looks like the doom and gloom merchants got it wrong.

Don't car sales ALWAYS spike in January?

If only ALL sales start going up then we might recover. But that won't happen as long as the govts trying to smother consumer demand.

[David Cochrane]

I saw this earlier from the CSO and don't really think it's especially surprising. I'd be interested to see how the rest of the year holds up.

Link to the CSO data by the way: Vehicles Licensed for the First Time

[punchdrunk]

Don't car sales ALWAYS spike in January?

If only ALL sales start going up then we might recover. But that won't happen as long as the govts trying to smother consumer demand.

Car sales dont always spike in January. Indeed some garage people had expected a big drop and are pleasantly surprised. The fact that goods vehicles are up 11% could be an indication that things have bottomed out.

[gerhard dengler]

Car sales dont always spike in January. Indeed some garage people had expected a big drop and are pleasantly surprised. The fact that goods vehicles are up 11% could be an indication that things have bottomed out.

If I'm not mistaken, the car scrapage scheme was in force in January 2011.

So if sales in January 2012 are 11% higher than January 2011, it shows that something has improved.

[PeeMac]

Green shoots anyone?

Shsssh.

[tonic]

Car sales dont always spike in January. Indeed some garage people had expected a big drop and are pleasantly surprised. The fact that goods vehicles are up 11% could be an indication that things have bottomed out.

It's more likely that it's a sign that those who held off over the last 2 years can't hold off any longer and must renew their vehicles.
General retail was a disaster in January, worst in the last 4 years by a long way, still it's only one month and we'll just have to wait to see if it picks up. If not, then serious trouble ahead for retail employment.

[Keith-M]

I wonder where they are because I have yet to see a 12 registered car.

[Social Conscience]

Is the industry still worrying about next year and the famed number 13?