Motor Industry Association Chief Executive David Crawford says that despite March 2021 being the strongest March on record for sales of new vehicles, a year on from our first Covid-19 lockdown restrictions our sector is still operating under disrupted supply arrangements and computer chip supply shortages. As shipments arrive, vehicles are going straight through Customs, distributor predelivery inspections and entry compliance to the franchised dealer and onto the new owner, who invariably has been on a wait list.
Comparing March this year to March 2020 is a statistical challenge due to lost delivery time as we entered in full lockdown and current month arrivals are mainly fulfilling long wait lists.
March 2021 registrations of 15,498 were 86.3% up on March 2020. Year to date the market is up 27.6% (9,046 units) compared to the first quarter of 2020.
