United Kingdom Passenger Car Import Price in February 2023

In February 2023, the passenger car price stood at $36,155 per unit (CIF, United Kingdom), rising by 8.9% against the previous month. In general, import price indicated a moderate increase from February 2022 to February 2023: its price increased at an average monthly rate of +2.0% over the last twelve months. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on February 2023 figures, passenger car import price decreased by -3.1% against December 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in March 2022 when the average import price increased by 31% month-to-month. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $37.5M per thousand units. From April 2022 to February 2023, the average import prices failed to regain momentum. \

Prices varied noticeably by the country of origin: the country with the highest price was Mexico ($36,135 per unit), while the price for Japan ($18,073 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+6.6%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

United Kingdom Passenger Car Imports

In February 2023, overseas purchases of passenger cars increased by 28% to 129K units for the first time since November 2022, thus ending a two-month declining trend. In general, imports, however, saw a pronounced setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in November 2022 when imports increased by 66% m-o-m. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at 174K units in February 2022; however, from March 2022 to February 2023, imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, passenger car imports surged to $4.7B (IndexBox estimates) in February 2023. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in November 2022 with an increase of 52% against the previous month. Imports peaked at 5.3B units in March 2022; however, from April 2022 to February 2023, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

United Kingdom Passenger Car Imports by Country

China (24K units), Spain (21K units) and the Czech Republic (12K units) were the main suppliers of passenger car imports to the UK, together accounting for 45% of total imports.

From February 2022 to February 2023, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by China (with a CAGR of +11.5%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest passenger car suppliers to the UK were China ($596M), Spain ($450M) and Slovakia ($366M), with a combined 30% share of total imports. These countries were followed by the Czech Republic, South Korea, Japan, Hungary, Belgium, Romania, Turkey, Mexico, the United States and Portugal, which together accounted for a further 31%.

Among the main suppliers, Mexico, with a CAGR of +5.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform