Market Re-forecasts - Automotive - UK - March 2009
In less than nine months, the UK has changed from booming, overheated economy to an economy in crisis. In a fast-developing environment, up-to-date market and consumer data is more critical than ever.
It takes time for changes in macro-economic variables to have an impact on consumer spending. But it is now clear that consumers’ expectations, attitudes and beliefs have changed dramatically in the past six months. As a result, Mintel’s market size estimates and forecasts based on different consumer expectations warrant revision. For the first time in its near-40 years of delivering market and consumer insights, Mintel has conducted an exhaustive mid-cycle re-evaluation of consumer market forecasts published in 2007 & 2008.
Since the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers, crisis upon crisis has hit the UK financial services sector with several key players having to be rescued from the threat of insolvency. The consequences for the UK economy have been dramatic as the government and markets have reacted to unfolding events. Some of the falls include:
interest rates from 5% to 0.5% (Oct. ’08 to Mar ‘09)
the sterling/dollar exchange rate from $2 to the pound to $1.45 (Jun. ‘08 to Feb ’09)
the sterling/euro exchange rate from 1.25 euros to the pound to a low of 1.01 euros (most of ’08 to Jan. ’09)
the retail price index (RPI) from 5% to 0.1% (Sept. ’08 to Jan ’09)
the consumer price index (CPI) from over 5% to 3% (Sept. ’08 to Jan ’09 – less dramatic than RPI primarily as it excludes mortgage interest payments and housing depreciation).
Mintel has tracked UK consumer expenditure for almost 40 years, including the recessions of the seventies, 1980-81 and 1991-92.
Mintel market size estimates combine historic data trends with the most current consumer data, published data and trade insight. Using a range of economic variables, primarily consumer-related, such as consumer expenditure, personal disposable income and the consumer price index, we have re-estimated and re-forecast the market data in more than 300 of our UK reports.
This work will enable us to understand better which sectors are suffering most in the current economic crisis. How are consumers likely to spend their incomes in the coming years? Which sectors will suffer and benefit most? How should suppliers react in the short-, medium- and long-term?
The worst impact of recession is skewed towards certain sectors where big ticket, discretionary purchases are the norm: automotive; any sector where there is a close correlation with house purchasing (eg brown & white goods, floor coverings), technology and travel. But within each sector, there are winners and losers. Are car-buyers switching from new to used cars? Is the after-sales market benefiting as car owners delay purchases? When will an upturn take place?
Are consumers trading up to better quality products, trading down, or trading over? Each segment of each sector has to be analysed separately and in comparison with others.
Mintel’s revised data is presented in an easy-to-use manner:
relevant commentary about the sector, with discussion of pertinent changes in the sector and an overall assessment of the current state of the market
a chart of the previous estimates and forecasts for a sector alongside the revised data
tables for the period 2002-2012 or 2003-2013, incorporating
previous and revised estimates & forecasts at current prices
the absolute value of the change to the market forecast
index numbers to show percentage changes
In most cases, we have added a further paragraph bringing to the attention of users of a scenario based on a more pessimistic forecast of economic circumstances in 2009. This is based on February ONS (Office of National Statistics) data. This should be seen as indicative of the impact of further economic decline: a worse case (but not worst case) scenario.
Aggregated and revised data, including forecasts to 2014 will be published in British Lifestyles 2009: consumers in crisis at the beginning of April 2009.
A further review of the changes in the markets surveyed by Mintel, consumers’ expenditure plans, and economic forecasts will take place July 2009 and, if necessary, a further set of revised forecasts with commentary will be published in July 2009.
What you get
What's included
- Consumer Attitudes and Behaviour
- Market data
- Competitive analysis
- Risks and Opportunities
- What’s Next
- Market Trends
This market report provides in-depth analysis and insight supported by a range of data. At the same time, introductory and top-level content is provided to give you an overview of the issues covered.
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Market
Mintel provides a range of market information, frequently through the category level, including market size and forecasting, complete with market drivers that illustrate the forces that shape a category or market.
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Consumer
Mintel's proprietary consumer research provides our analysts with the attitudinal and behavioral data used to provide valuable insight to topical issues.
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Brand/Company
Mintel provides overviews of the top brands and manufacturers, and uses consumer research to explore attitudes and reactions to brands, as well as insight into what will resonate with consumers.
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Data
Market reports provide appendices of data to support the research and insight produced. Our tables of data are easily manipulated and downloadable to support your research needs and covers factors from consumer attitudes to market forecasts.

* This is a sample representation of the report layout and does not reflect the research included in this report.
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Table of contents
Key Findings
- Automotive
- Automotive
Introduction
- Mintel’s re-forecasting puts markets in realistic light
- The macro-economic changes
- The significance of these changes
- Presentation of data
- What next?
- Methodology
- Differences
- Mintel’s re-forecasting puts markets in realistic light
Car Accessories
- Figure 1: Past, current and forecast of UK retail sales of safety and emergency accessories, at current 2008 prices, 2002-12
- Figure 2: Past, current and forecast of UK retail sales of convenience and styling accessories, at current 2008 prices, 2002-12
- Factors used in this forecast
Car Retailing
- Total value
- New car market
- Used car market
- Figure 3: Total Values sales of cars (new and used) at current prices, 2003-13
- Figure 4: Values sales of new cars, at current prices, 2003-13
- Figure 5: Values sales of used cars, at current prices, 2003-13
- Factors used in this forecast
- Total value
Cars
- Total value
- New car market
- Used car market
- Figure 6: Total values sales of cars (new and used) at current prices, 2003-13
- Figure 7: Values sales of new cars, at current prices, 2003-13
- Figure 8: Values sales of used cars, at current prices, 2003-13
- Factors used in this forecast
- Total value
Motorcycles and Scooters
- Figure 9: Retail sales/new registrations of motorcycles and scooters, 2003-13
- Figure 10: Retail sales/new registrations of motorcycles and scooters (value at current prices) 2003-13
- Factors used in the forecast
Market Re-forecasts - Automotive - UK - March 2009