About the Report…

Given that the purchase of a car is a major financial outlay, trends in personal disposable income and consumer expenditure are key variables impacting on demand. It is well-documented that the relative fortunes of the UK car industry tend to be somewhat cyclical. This is something of a double-edged sword in that car manufacturers and dealerships tend to fare well when the economy is booming, but, conversely, are generally hit hard during a slump. During a recession, if consumers do purchase a car, they may be more circumspect, opting for a lower-specification model, foregoing optional extras.

Seasonality is another factor that massively influences purchasing patterns in the industry. Seasonal buying has long been a feature of the UK car market and, prior to 1999, had been heavily skewed to the key early Autumn selling period, coinciding with the introduction of the new number plate. The two plates a year system was introduced in March 1999 in an attempt to distribute new car sales more evenly across the year.

A unique market with distinct factors and changing target audiences, thorough market research will be become increasingly important to fully understand the many dimensions of this distinctive motor sector and grow market share.

About Mintel’s Research…

This is the first time that Mintel has published a report specifically focusing on consumer purchasing intentions, motivations and aspirations in the UK car market.

Pooling together the most innovative consumer research and latest market analysis, Mintel's new report offers you all the insight and inspiration you need for designing clever, creative and profitable marketing strategies in the UK car market. Use Mintel's research to:

Find out more about the total market for cars and the most vital market drivers

Discover which products are the most popular amongst consumers and why

Identify the consumers who agree with a variety of statements, including:

‘A car is just to get me around’

‘You can tell a lot about a person by the car they drive’

‘Small is beautiful when it comes to buying cars’

‘Driving is fun and exciting’

Segment your potential customer base by their attitudes to car ownership and discover the most effective marketing messages to reach them

Track car ownership and sales trends

Measure market forecasts and build realistic business models