Diesel overtakes petrol car sales for first time
10 August 2010, 07:22 PM
#1
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Diesel overtakes petrol car sales for first time
Sales of diesel cars have overtaken petrol for the first time, latest car industry figures have shown.
Diesel sales made up 50.6% of the total in July, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
The sale of petrol cars dropped by almost a third in July compared with the same month a year earlier.
Petrol sales have fallen since the end of the government scrappage scheme in March, which saw motorists buy smaller, cheaper cars.
"The diesel market is seeing strong recovery after last year," a spokesperson for the SMMT told BBC News.
"Demand fell as diesel prices rose and the scrappage scheme was actively boosting sales within the small car market, where diesel engines do not penetrate as high as petrol."
Industry experts say that the 11.8% rise in diesel car sales in the past year also reflects the need to curb total household spending in the current economic climate.
The Diesel is now KING!
Diesel sales made up 50.6% of the total in July, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
The sale of petrol cars dropped by almost a third in July compared with the same month a year earlier.
Petrol sales have fallen since the end of the government scrappage scheme in March, which saw motorists buy smaller, cheaper cars.
"The diesel market is seeing strong recovery after last year," a spokesperson for the SMMT told BBC News.
"Demand fell as diesel prices rose and the scrappage scheme was actively boosting sales within the small car market, where diesel engines do not penetrate as high as petrol."
Industry experts say that the 11.8% rise in diesel car sales in the past year also reflects the need to curb total household spending in the current economic climate.
The Diesel is now KING!
10 August 2010, 07:29 PM
#3
Going to go back the other way now, petrols are cleaner and can make new targets more easily, the tech is coming along now aafter years of being left in favour of Diesel development, the downsized petrol with turbovharging and supercharging, direct injection and clever valve type stuff will be king in the next couple of years.
10 August 2010, 07:33 PM
#4
UK is the only country thats been so slow to adopt diesel.
90% of cars in Spain and France are diesel, mainly because the fuel is a hell of alot cheaper and offsets the increased purchase price of a diesel engined car.
With the added fact that in terms off hum-drum comuting cars, the diesel counterparts are so much nicer to drive as the sub-2.0 litre petrol counterparts so often lack the sub-3000rpm torque required to move the average 1.4ton NCap 5 car at a decent pace, unless it uses some form of forced induction which then impairs MPG; may as well have a diesel.
90% of cars in Spain and France are diesel, mainly because the fuel is a hell of alot cheaper and offsets the increased purchase price of a diesel engined car.
With the added fact that in terms off hum-drum comuting cars, the diesel counterparts are so much nicer to drive as the sub-2.0 litre petrol counterparts so often lack the sub-3000rpm torque required to move the average 1.4ton NCap 5 car at a decent pace, unless it uses some form of forced induction which then impairs MPG; may as well have a diesel.
10 August 2010, 07:43 PM
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Well I'm currently looking to jump from the scoob into a diesel but a used one. The mpg gain, lower general running costs being the main factors.
Anybody selling a nice Mondeo ST TDCI give me a shout
Anybody selling a nice Mondeo ST TDCI give me a shout
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10 August 2010, 10:47 PM
#8
Nope we're just taxed more. Plain and simple. Diesel is cheaper than petrol in most other countries.
All fuels come from the crude oil (except bio-fuel, of course
), as the result of the refining process. When refining, the crude splits off into certain types of products, LPG at the top, bunker fuel oil and tar at the bottom, with petrol and diesel inbetween. So in effect production costs are very similar. Although the refining processes can be tweeked a little depending on demand (i.e diesel can be further refined to make petrol), but essentially diesel and petrol will always be produced when refining crude, no matter what refining process is used.So no matter what the demand, it still has to be produced, i.e to get tarmac, jet fuel or plastic bags, we will also end up creating diesel and LPG, even if we don't want it.
Last edited by ALi-B; 10 August 2010 at 11:20 PM. Reason: ;)
10 August 2010, 11:55 PM
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Why diesel outsold petrol in July?
Simple, private buyers buy petrol cars in the main, refusing the pay the premium for diesel engines. The % of private buyers in the total market for July fell to only 40%, Fleet & Business purchases took a combined 60%. Thus as nearly all Fleet & Business buyers choose diesel cars, it is obvious that Diesel for the first time takes over 50% of the market.
Its nothing to do with curbing household spending or any bollox like that, its purely down to the split of who is buying the cars. With scrappage gone, expect similar results for the next few months as Fleet & Business buyers keep the market ticking over. Once Private buyers start coming back to the market, the split will move away from diesel again.
Simple, private buyers buy petrol cars in the main, refusing the pay the premium for diesel engines. The % of private buyers in the total market for July fell to only 40%, Fleet & Business purchases took a combined 60%. Thus as nearly all Fleet & Business buyers choose diesel cars, it is obvious that Diesel for the first time takes over 50% of the market.
Its nothing to do with curbing household spending or any bollox like that, its purely down to the split of who is buying the cars. With scrappage gone, expect similar results for the next few months as Fleet & Business buyers keep the market ticking over. Once Private buyers start coming back to the market, the split will move away from diesel again.
11 August 2010, 02:21 AM
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Reffro - I am not sure. Her indoors chopped a 2005 BM 320i for a Diesel 207 in April. Her only reason for buying the 207 was fuel economy. I found this a bit strange, as I pay for her fuel, but the BM was a terrible car with no warranty and loads of faults (see worst car thread for a run down) The 207 is a terrible car with loads of faults, but does about 70MPG instead of 32. (OK - it has no faults so far, but it is a Pug, so they will arrive soon) - I've notice a substantial reduction in costs since she changed. £120.00 in fuel per month, £150.00 in finance (.... this isn't a real saving in the longer term, but it is on a monthly basis) and 30 quid road tax instead of 230.00. Taking in BM's stupid run flat tyres, I pay out £3600.00 less a year. Given the austerity budget, how many other households would like to make a £3600.00 a year saving?
11 August 2010, 08:10 AM
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I guess i was suckered into buying a higher mleage diesel by the price . I then had to replace the turbo , flywheel ,clutch which would go a long way toward negating that saving. However even lower mileage examples have similar problems if your unlucky !
11 August 2010, 08:13 AM
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In the olden days i always regarded diesels as pure work horses, they always seamed to last for ever, probably because they were not that highly strung, nowadays the derv engines are having there ***** twisted into knots to make better power and torque figures, which is probably why they dont seam to want to do 200k miles
i always regarded diesels as pure work horses, they always seamed to last for ever, probably because they were not that highly strung, nowadays the derv engines are having there ***** twisted into knots to make better power and torque figures, which is probably why they dont seam to want to do 200k miles
11 August 2010, 08:57 PM
#16
anyone who buys a new oilburner for private use needs thier head read.
its been proved by one of the mags that you never get ure money back on the better mpg . they gave a few examples 320d bmw 388.000 miles just to break even , new mini 89,000 mileas just to break even this was a direct comparasin against the same petrol car. difference in retail price devided mpg difference and the fact that petrolis cheeper
its been proved by one of the mags that you never get ure money back on the better mpg . they gave a few examples 320d bmw 388.000 miles just to break even , new mini 89,000 mileas just to break even this was a direct comparasin against the same petrol car. difference in retail price devided mpg difference and the fact that petrolis cheeper
11 August 2010, 09:04 PM
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Nope we're just taxed more. Plain and simple. Diesel is cheaper than petrol in most other countries.
All fuels come from the crude oil (except bio-fuel, of course ), as the result of the refining process. When refining, the crude splits off into certain types of products, LPG at the top, bunker fuel oil and tar at the bottom, with petrol and diesel inbetween. So in effect production costs are very similar. Although the refining processes can be tweeked a little depending on demand (i.e diesel can be further refined to make petrol), but essentially diesel and petrol will always be produced when refining crude, no matter what refining process is used.
So no matter what the demand, it still has to be produced, i.e to get tarmac, jet fuel or plastic bags, we will also end up creating diesel and LPG, even if we don't want it.
All fuels come from the crude oil (except bio-fuel, of course
), as the result of the refining process. When refining, the crude splits off into certain types of products, LPG at the top, bunker fuel oil and tar at the bottom, with petrol and diesel inbetween. So in effect production costs are very similar. Although the refining processes can be tweeked a little depending on demand (i.e diesel can be further refined to make petrol), but essentially diesel and petrol will always be produced when refining crude, no matter what refining process is used.So no matter what the demand, it still has to be produced, i.e to get tarmac, jet fuel or plastic bags, we will also end up creating diesel and LPG, even if we don't want it.
11 August 2010, 09:05 PM
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UK is the only country thats been so slow to adopt diesel.
90% of cars in Spain and France are diesel, mainly because the fuel is a hell of alot cheaper and offsets the increased purchase price of a diesel engined car.
With the added fact that in terms off hum-drum comuting cars, the diesel counterparts are so much nicer to drive as the sub-2.0 litre petrol counterparts so often lack the sub-3000rpm torque required to move the average 1.4ton NCap 5 car at a decent pace, unless it uses some form of forced induction which then impairs MPG; may as well have a diesel.
90% of cars in Spain and France are diesel, mainly because the fuel is a hell of alot cheaper and offsets the increased purchase price of a diesel engined car.
With the added fact that in terms off hum-drum comuting cars, the diesel counterparts are so much nicer to drive as the sub-2.0 litre petrol counterparts so often lack the sub-3000rpm torque required to move the average 1.4ton NCap 5 car at a decent pace, unless it uses some form of forced induction which then impairs MPG; may as well have a diesel.
12 August 2010, 07:51 AM
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The thing about diesel is:
I have a 3.0TDi, remapped and running with a Milltek exhaust - I have 280bhp with 390ft/lbs torque, with a near vertical power curve at 2500rpm. This all means I can have some serious fun when I want to and it sounds great when you boot it.
Travelled up to Darlington on Tuesday and averaged 57.4 mpg on the way up - would've got 600 miles out of the tank as well, if I'd been feeling a little braver...
The combination can't be matched with a petrol car, so I like my soot chucker
I have a 3.0TDi, remapped and running with a Milltek exhaust - I have 280bhp with 390ft/lbs torque, with a near vertical power curve at 2500rpm. This all means I can have some serious fun when I want to and it sounds great when you boot it.
Travelled up to Darlington on Tuesday and averaged 57.4 mpg on the way up - would've got 600 miles out of the tank as well, if I'd been feeling a little braver...
The combination can't be matched with a petrol car, so I like my soot chucker
12 August 2010, 08:29 AM
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From one fill of the fuel tanks on my cars:
Impreza Type R - circa 280 miles max
A6 2.0tdi - 650-700 miles
my old 320D - circa 650miles
All driving easy (very easy in the Type R)
I'd certainly go for a soot burner again, second hand especially as you'll still get a good price when its sold on.
Impreza Type R - circa 280 miles max
A6 2.0tdi - 650-700 miles
my old 320D - circa 650miles
All driving easy (very easy in the Type R)
I'd certainly go for a soot burner again, second hand especially as you'll still get a good price when its sold on.
12 August 2010, 08:55 AM
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The thing about diesel is:
I have a 3.0TDi, remapped and running with a Milltek exhaust - I have 280bhp with 390ft/lbs torque, with a near vertical power curve at 2500rpm. This all means I can have some serious fun when I want to and it sounds great when you boot it.
Travelled up to Darlington on Tuesday and averaged 57.4 mpg on the way up - would've got 600 miles out of the tank as well, if I'd been feeling a little braver...
The combination can't be matched with a petrol car, so I like my soot chucker
I have a 3.0TDi, remapped and running with a Milltek exhaust - I have 280bhp with 390ft/lbs torque, with a near vertical power curve at 2500rpm. This all means I can have some serious fun when I want to and it sounds great when you boot it.
Travelled up to Darlington on Tuesday and averaged 57.4 mpg on the way up - would've got 600 miles out of the tank as well, if I'd been feeling a little braver...
The combination can't be matched with a petrol car, so I like my soot chucker
12 August 2010, 08:59 AM
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In the olden days i always regarded diesels as pure work horses, they always seamed to last for ever, probably because they were not that highly strung, nowadays the derv engines are having there ***** twisted into knots to make better power and torque figures, which is probably why they dont seam to want to do 200k miles
i always regarded diesels as pure work horses, they always seamed to last for ever, probably because they were not that highly strung, nowadays the derv engines are having there ***** twisted into knots to make better power and torque figures, which is probably why they dont seam to want to do 200k miles
12 August 2010, 09:04 AM
#25
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We sold the impreza for a second hand Audi A4 TDi love it for the MPG , only down side it's 110bhp and so boring to drive, the next purchase will be either a 530d or 535d
12 August 2010, 10:18 AM
#27
Diesels are the way forward
I have run 2 cars petrol and diesels for 14 years and have always doubled my savings with diesels
My classic Subaru 250 to the tank £63
My wrxd yes diesel 500 to the tank £63
And the wrxd is as fast mid range too
With cheaper insurance £279 £155 road tax and £210 to service I'm going to save over £2500 over the 330s I was going to buy
I will keep the wrxd to 5 years probably 12.5 k savings
Makes the wrxd a bargain at 23k
I have run 2 cars petrol and diesels for 14 years and have always doubled my savings with diesels
My classic Subaru 250 to the tank £63
My wrxd yes diesel 500 to the tank £63
And the wrxd is as fast mid range too
With cheaper insurance £279 £155 road tax and £210 to service I'm going to save over £2500 over the 330s I was going to buy
I will keep the wrxd to 5 years probably 12.5 k savings
Makes the wrxd a bargain at 23k
12 August 2010, 12:37 PM
#29
Diesels will take a back seat over the next few years due to new emission laws as they cant get them as clean as a Petrol, downsized petrols with turbos and superchargers are the way its going and they are getting results pretty much the same as a diesel in terms of MPG.
People buy diesels as like Les says, there is a feeling its the thing to do sometimes but otherwise it due to the type of vehicles people buy, we have a Galaxy diesel, as its huge, heavy and doesnt need to go that fast diesel is the way to go as is the case for the off roaders that everyone hankers for, they are best with diesel but a cabriolet with a diesel engine is a horrific concept, the noise and the smell, they only exist due to company car tax rules, not because they need a diesel engine.
People always seem to have a point to prove with diesels, in terms of the performance, if anything they are faster nowadays but there is still this chip on the shoulder, look at the 335D, sure its marvellous but all the owners seem to need to beat everything on the road with their diesel machine, point being is that they cost 35 grand, well done, you "beat" a 2 grand, 15 year old petrol car !
Dont get me wrong I like diesels, but it has its place.
People buy diesels as like Les says, there is a feeling its the thing to do sometimes but otherwise it due to the type of vehicles people buy, we have a Galaxy diesel, as its huge, heavy and doesnt need to go that fast diesel is the way to go as is the case for the off roaders that everyone hankers for, they are best with diesel but a cabriolet with a diesel engine is a horrific concept, the noise and the smell, they only exist due to company car tax rules, not because they need a diesel engine.
People always seem to have a point to prove with diesels, in terms of the performance, if anything they are faster nowadays but there is still this chip on the shoulder, look at the 335D, sure its marvellous but all the owners seem to need to beat everything on the road with their diesel machine, point being is that they cost 35 grand, well done, you "beat" a 2 grand, 15 year old petrol car !
Dont get me wrong I like diesels, but it has its place.
12 August 2010, 12:55 PM
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I want from a Petrol to a diesel 2 years ago. Halved my fuel bills overnight. Plus, I can now get to London & back on one tank, rather than 2 tanks.
Most people see a difference in there monthly fuel bills rather than the purchase price.