Wales Sales: 2021

The data below is provided by the DTI UK. The top 30 brands across the UK as a whole are listed and the registrations for those brands are listed by region. That means there may be a brand or two that misses out here and with 860 others, maybe so. 

Wales' sales amounted to 58,000 in 2021, down 4%. Last year total sales fell 25% but Vauxhall defied gravity and went up 2%. Well, gravity caught up with it and down to fifth it went. Ford returned to its usual spot. Kia was the big mover near the top of the list. 

Scotland Sales: 2021

The data below is provided by the DTI UK. The top 30 brands across the UK as a whole are listed and the registrations for those brands are listed by region. That means there may be some brands that miss out here and with 2,000 others, definitely. 

Scotland's sales amounted to 138,500 in 2021, up 8%. I'd have to say that Vauxhall's long history of being the top brand suddenly ending two years ago and rebounding back in 2021 was quite a comeback. A 28% drop in sales during 2020 shook things up and now things have stabilised. Toyota added a full percentage point to its share so may have a role to play in the leadership rankings.   

Northern Ireland Sales: 2021

The data below is provided by the DTI UK. The top 30 brands across the UK as a whole are listed and the registrations for those brands are listed by region. That means there may be a brand or two that misses out here but with only 540 others, maybe not. 

Northern Island's sales amounted to 37,000 in 2021, up 3%. VW dethroned Ford which has been a long standing leader barring the odd year it missed. Maybe this will be for one year as well. Or as they both lost share while the pack made up ground, they may both be out of luck in 2022. 

South England Passenger Car Sales : 2020

This region includes the South West and South East of England plus London. The top 30 makes are tabulated for the whole of the UK, then listed by region. This means the list may not be a top 30 for everyone. So below are the 30 best selling UK brands and this is how those brands in the south of England fared. The UK average was -29% for the year so -31% was a bit down.

Ford was unceremonially bumped off the top spot to third three years ago and may not be able to retain that place much longer. To call the south of England German car industry obsessed would be like saying the sky is blue, so I won't say it. Clearly, supporting UK-made isn't a high priority down here. 

Data source: DTI UK.

Midlands/East England Passenger Car Sales : 2020

 This region includes the West and East Midlands plus the East or East Anglia area. The top 30 makes are tabulated for the whole of the UK, then listed by region. This means the list may not be a top 30 for everyone. So below are the 30 best selling UK brands and this is how those brands in the middle and east of England fared. The UK average was -29% for the year so -31% was a bit down.

Ford has been consistently top since 2012 and maintained a clear margin in 2020 despite a -38% result. BMW moved into second, just shading VW. Toyota again had another good performance. Both land Rover and Jaguar didn't do so well, in a region where many of the vehicles are made.

Data source: DTI UK.

North England Passenger Car Sales : 2020

This region includes the North West, North East and Yorkshire. The top 30 makes are tabulated for the whole of the UK, then listed by region. This means the list may not be a top 30 for everyone. So below are the 30 best selling UK brands and this is how those brands in the north of England fared. The UK average was -29% for the year so -26% was OK.

BMW somehow manages to be the top brand, displacing Ford two years ago and going on the show it wasn't a fluke. Neither did well in 2020 with sales down over 30% for both of them. Toyota, Nissan and Volvo did well considering the trying conditions. 

Data source: DTI UK.

Wales Passenger Car Sales : 2020

The top 30 makes are tabulated for the whole of the UK, then listed by region. This means the list may not be a top 30 for everyone. So below are the 30 best selling UK brands and this is how those brands sold in Wales. The UK average was -29% for the year so -24% was quite good.

Green shows an increase (just two), purple fewer sales but market share gain and yellow negative on both counts. Ford has been top since as far back as I can go. Perhaps a Ford engine plant at Bridgend helped. The plant recently closed and Ford dropped a place. Does that have any bearing? A real coincidence if not. 

Vauxhall amazingly managed to actually increase sales and is now the best selling brand in the Principality. MG is particularly popular here and now commands a top ten ranking. 

Data source: DTI UK.

Scotland Passenger Car Sales : 2020

Social distancing in action with the Nissan Juke Car Club

                                                                                                                                  The top 30 makes are tabulated for the whole of the UK, then listed by region. This means the list may not be a top 30 for everyone. So below are the 30 best selling UK brands and this is how those brands sold in Scotland. The UK total sales were -29% for the year so -28% was about the same.

Green shows an increase (just three), purple fewer sales but market share gain and yellow negative on both counts. Ford displaced Vauxhall from the top in 2019 and Ford maintained its position into 2020. It wasn't a great year for the top three. Toyota had a good year all things considered. I think it's safe to say Jeep isn't in the top 30. 

Data source: DTI UK.

Northern Ireland Passenger Car Sales : 2020

The top 30 makes are tabulated for the whole of the UK, then listed by region. This means the list may not be a top 30 for everyone. So below are the 30 best selling UK brands and this is how those brands sold in Northern Ireland. The UK total sales were -29% for the year so -30% for NI was ballpark.

Green shows an increase (just two), purple fewer sales but market share gain and yellow negative on both counts. Ford has been top since 2008 and that continued into 2020. It wasn't a great year for the blue oval brand but second placed VW wasn't much better. Toyota has been steadily climbing up and is now third. 

Data source: DTI UK.

UK Regional Penetration 2019 : Lexus & Tesla

The two brands here are smaller in sales volume yet not too far apart in total sales. They also have surprisingly similar regional popularity. Tesla avoids releasing any detailed data so this is a rare glimpse into its sales in the UK. I hope the source maintains its policy of making such information available. If you sell cars in a country, you accept their rules.

Below is a chart that has the UK divided into regions (England) and countries that show how these two premium brands are doing. The chart also has a ratio number by which the chart is sorted (1:1000). The higher the ratio, the further up the chart. The three countries each have a different colour and the England divisions are green.

First up Lexus, with 15,700 sales and 0.68% of the UK market. That makes it a very small player, as it is generally in Europe. The region that it does best in is London, by a hefty margin as well. SE England too is quite a strong area relatively speaking. North East England and Wales - two areas not as well off - are well below the national average.

	Lexus
	Region	Sales	1:1000
	London	2,037	12.7
	South East England	4,030	8.3
	East Midlands	1,070	6.5
	West Midlands	1,456	6.2
	Scotland	1,059	6.0
	East England	1,330	5.9
	North West England	1,394	5.9
	Northern Ireland	287	5.6
	Yorkshire & Humber	1,021	5.4
	South West England	1,403	5.2
	North East England	304	4.4
	Wales	347	4.3
	Total	15,738	6.8

Tesla is even more popular in London, nearly double any other region. Again SE England comes in second. Likewise the NE England and Wales eschew Tesla and Northern Ireland drops well into bottom place. Overall a very similar pattern to Lexus with regard to regional preferences.

	Tesla
	Region	Sales	1:1000
	London	2,187	13.7
	South East England	3,711	7.6
	East England	1,412	6.3
	West Midlands	1,496	6.3
	Scotland	810	4.6
	Yorkshire & Humber	774	4.1
	East Midlands	648	3.9
	South West England	949	3.5
	North West England	753	3.2
	Wales	233	2.9
	North East England	131	1.9
	Northern Ireland	69	1.3
	Total	13,173	5.7

Data source: DTI.

UK Regional Penetration 2019 : Hyundai & Kia

The two makes from the Hyundai Group are both mainstream but Hyundai likes to think it's a cut above its sibling. I'm sure that's how the company wants to position them. For me Hyundai does nothing at all but Kia is something I would perhaps consider. So for a peek at how they fare in the UK.

Below is a chart that has the UK divided into regions (England) and countries that show how the two Korean brands are doing. The chart also has a ratio number by which the chart is sorted (1:1000). The higher the ratio, the further up the chart. The three countries each have a different colour and the England divisions are green.

This Kia Sportage contemplates the meaning of life

Kia sold just short of 100,000 cars in the UK in 2019, with a 4.15% share. It is the more popular of the two brands. Having been neck and neck for years, it has recently taken a solid lead. The SW England is where they are most popular (6.3%) but down to 3.1% in the NE of England.

	Kia
	Region	Sales	1:1000
	South West England	17,057	62.7
	London	8,348	52.2
	East Midlands	7,917	48.2
	Wales	3,642	45.4
	Scotland	7,955	44.8
	North West England	10,118	43.0
	Northern Ireland	2,075	40.6
	East England	8,256	36.8
	Yorkshire & Humber	6,776	36.1
	South East England	15,747	32.3
	West Midlands	7,397	31.3
	North East England	2,102	30.6
	Total	97,390	41.5

Hyundai aims to be more upmarket

Hyundai sold 83,000 units for a 3.55% slice of the pie. Northern Ireland is by far where it does best with 6.3% share. London is a good region for Kia but not so Hyundai (2.2%). There seems no pattern of where they do well between the brands.

	Hyundai
	Region	Sales	1:1000
	Northern Ireland	3,234	63.2
	Yorkshire & Humber	8,952	47.7
	East Midlands	7,448	45.3
	North East England	2,941	42.8
	South East England	19,440	39.8
	South West England	10,810	39.7
	Wales	2,843	35.5
	Scotland	5,466	30.8
	North West England	6,614	28.1
	West Midlands	6,455	27.3
	East England	5,686	25.3
	London	3,464	21.7
	Total	83,353	35.5

Data source: DTI.

UK Regional Penetration 2019 : MINI & Volvo

There isn't much in common with the two that are grouped here. The fact they are both above the mainstream brands and sell in similar numbers were the only reasons I had. So are there parallels that can be observed? First up, a heads up.

Below is a chart that has the UK divided into regions (England) and countries that show how these two premium brands are doing. The chart also has a ratio number by which the chart is sorted (1:1000). The higher the ratio, the further up the chart. The three countries each have a different colour and the England divisions are green.

A typical Yorkshire Terrier, playful & energetic

MINI manages a solid 2.8% share of the UK market, 65,000 sales in all. The Welsh and Northern Ireland car buyers are not among the brands greatest supporters, with MINI under 2% penetration in both instances. North England is where the marque is most welcomed (along with the East). Y & H's 4.7% share is impressive. 

	MINI
	Region	Sales	1:1000
	Yorkshire & Humber	8,757	46.6
	East England	8,964	39.9
	North West England	8,152	34.6
	North East England	1,980	28.8
	Scotland	4,754	26.7
	South West England	6,989	25.7
	London	3,935	24.6
	West Midlands	5,361	22.7
	South East England	10,416	21.3
	East Midlands	3,321	20.2
	Wales	1,570	19.6
	Northern Ireland	847	16.6
	Total	65,046	27.7

Perhaps outside a home somewhere in Yorkshire

Volvo secured 56,7000 registrations in the UK, or 2.4% of the total. It also does very well in Yorkshire, but London as well. It's a marque that enjoys most of its success in England, with the three countries outside its borders less enamoured. Apart from Yorkshire, Northern England isn't a happy hunting ground either.

	Volvo
	Region	Sales	1:1000
	Yorkshire & Humber	11,207	59.7
	London	5,622	35.2
	East Midlands	4,108	25.0
	West Midlands	5,339	22.6
	East England	4,822	21.5
	South West England	5,714	21.0
	South East England	10,096	20.7
	Scotland	3,502	19.7
	Northern Ireland	848	16.6
	North East England	1,108	16.1
	Wales	1,265	15.8
	North West England	3,091	13.1
	Total	56,722	24.2

Data source: DTI.