Car buyers in the UK are now able to choose from a larger-than-range of new car derivatives, new research has revealed.
The number of new car models has increased by 75 per cent since 2000, giving buyers a choice from around 7,000 model styles, according to EurotaxGlass’s.
Car manufacturers are expected to launch a further 72 new model ranges by the end of the year.
But despite motorists being spoiled for choice, the automotive business-intelligence firm revealed that new car registrations for 2008 are expected to fall by around 100,000 to 2.3 million.
The analyst said it expected to see the greatest influx of new models in the upper-medium sector, with the arrival of the new Honda Accord, Citroën C5, Vauxhall Insignia and Volkswagen Passat CC following UK launches of the Ford Mondeo, Renault Laguna, and Mazda 6.
Adrian Rushmore, managing editor at EurotaxGlass’s, commented: "This segment has experienced the biggest decline in new sales over the last 10 years, with market share falling from 19 per cent to under 10 per cent."
"This injection of new products should arrest that decline, for the time being at least."
Additionally, Rushmore said a rise in the number of new SUVs and MPVs available was expected.
The SUV sector has expanded significantly over the last 10 years, with 300 models now available compared to just 80 on offer in 1998, while the number of model derivatives in the MPV sector has risen from 207 in 1998 to 910 last year.
Rushmore added that the overwhelming choice of new cars available to consumers was making it increasingly difficult for them to make informed decisions.
