HC Deb 21 July 1980 vol 989 cc22-3W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Tade (1) what proportion of the United Kingdom new car market was taken by German, French, Italian, Belgian and Spanish vehicles in 1977 and in the first half of 1980;

(2) if a motor car, imported by a United Kingdom manufacturer and sold under that manufacturer's name counts as a home-produced or imported vehicle for the purpose of determining the share of the United Kingdom market held by foreign countries.

Mr. Parkinson

The information is as follows:

PROPORTION OF TOTAL NEW REGISTRATIONS OF NEW CARS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
(Percentage)
Country of origin* 1977 January—June 1980
West Germany 12.1 13.1
France 8.7 11.4
Italy 6.3 3.8
Belgium 3.4 7.9
Spain 0.2 5.1
Source: Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
* In the analysis of new car registrations in the United Kingdom published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders the country of origin of a car is defined as the country in which it was finally assembled. Thus, if a United Kingdom manufacturer imports a car in kit form and assembles it in the United Kingdom this will be included in the analysis of new registrations as a British car; but if the manufacturer imports an assembled car and sells it in the United Kingdom (whether under that manufacturer's name or not) this will be defined as an imported car.