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9^th April 2008 (Source: Experian )

Despite flagging used car sales during 2007, sales of used diesel cars continued to shoot upwards, according to Experian®, the global information services company, with the biggest increases coming from the southern regions of the UK.

Sales of used diesel cars increased by 4 per cent, while sales of used petrol cars continued to fall (down 4.4 per cent). Greater London saw the highest increase as sales of used diesel cars went up by 9 per cent during 2007, followed by 5 per cent in the South East and 4.4 per cent in the South West.

Overall, sales of diesel cars have increased by around 50 per cent throughout the UK in the last five years. The latest used car sales statistics from Experian also revealed that during 2007, used electric and hybrid vehicles grew significantly in popularity (up 473.5 per cent and 71.8 per cent respectively). East Anglia saw the highest increase in the sale of electric vehicles, jumping from one sale in 2006 to 35 sales in 2007 (3,400 per cent increase), while the North West saw the highest increase in the sale of used hybrid cars, up 99.1 per cent (from 155 to 309 sales). However, the most sales of these vehicles came from the Greater London region followed by the South East.

Kirk Fletcher, Managing Director of Experian's Automotive division, said: "There has been a lot of media attention, not only around the environment and the effect of the most polluting cars, but also on the forthcoming car tax increases and the rise in fuel duty. These latter factors appear to have played a more significant role in consumer buying habits over the last few years.

"A slow housing market and the squeeze on spending have left consumer confidence low and this, in turn, hit the used car sector hard last year. The extra costs of running a car have not helped matters. The industry recorded the highest drop in sales (down 2.4 per cent) since 2005, when used car sales first started falling.

"However, it was interesting to see that despite concerns around running costs and the environment, multi-purpose vehicles (MPVs), sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and sports cars continued to see an increase in sales during 2007."

Regional highlights during 2007.

• North East saw the highest fall in used car sales.
• Scotland saw the smallest drop in used cars sales. However, it is the first year Scotland has seen a drop in sales since Experian started collating the data in 1997.
• Used MPV sales were strongest in Greater London.
• North East was the only region to see a fall in the sale of SUVs.
• Scotland was the only region to see sales of the luxury segment grow.
• West Midlands saw the highest increase in the sale of SUVs and the also in the sale of small city cars.
• North East was the only region to see sales of diesel cars fall.
• Greater London saw the biggest fall in the sale of super minis, the most popular selling segment in the UK.

Kirk concluded: "The new car market is particularly competitive at the moment and, in contrast to the used car market, saw a revival of sales last year. It indicates that there is still a willingness to spend on a car, but used car dealers are having to work harder to attract customers who are seeing the value of buying a new car over a used one.

"Consumers are more aware and want more information upfront before making a decision. For used car dealers, tools such as Experian's Environmental Report that enable them to provide the Vehicle Excise Duty and CO2 emissions details on a specific used car in the same way new car dealers currently do on new cars, could be valuable in helping to sway the car buyer."

The latest used car sales statistics have been compiled used Experian's automotive market research tool, MarketView OnLine, developed by Experian's Business Strategies division, which provides direct access to Experian's extensive range of automotive market data and analytical tools. Information available includes the latest DVLA car parc data and used car transactions data.

Government Region	2007	% change from 2006
East Anglia	343,970	-2.7
East Midlands	620,844	-3.0
Greater London	707,650	-3.1
North East	376,829	-5.1
North West	775,001	-4.2
Scotland	634,189	-1.3
South East	1,538,296	-2.4
South West	74,711	-2.0
Wales	425,363	-3.8
West Midlands	727,270	-2.7
Yorkshire and the Humber	653,962	-3.8

Source: Experian and DVLA

Segments 2007 - % change from 2006
Region	SUV	Executive	Lower medium	Luxury	MPV	City	Sports	Super mini	Upper medium
East Anglia	5.8	-9.8	-4.3	-3.0	5.0	-1.4	1.1	0.8	-6.6
East Midlands	4.4	-7.3	-4.1	1.8	5.1	-2.6	0.8	-0.2	-8.3
Greater London	6.7	-3.6	-5.2	-0.9	11.1	-0.7	-0.7	-2.8	-5.9
North East	-0.1	-10.6	-6.9	-9.7	4.4	-3.2	-2.6	-2.5	-8.7
North West	3.1	-11.7	-5.3	-2.7	3.5	-3.3	-2.2	-0.9	-8.9
Scotland	9.1	-3.6	-3.3	3.9	8.0	-4.4	6.4	0.8	-6.5
South East	6.1	-6.2	-3.6	-1.7	5.0	-1.8	2.8	0.02	-7.2
South West	6.4	-8.1	-3.2	-3.8	7.0	0.5	2.3	0.9	-7.2
Wales	3.8	-10.0	-5.6	-10.2	3.4	0.4	1.1	0.1	-10.0
West Midlands	7.2	-8.5	-4.7	-1.7	6.2	0.6	1.3	0.3	-7.5
Yorkshire and the Humber	1.9	-8.5	-4.3	-3.0	6.6	-4.3	-1.0	-1.5	-8.8
National	5.9	-6.7	-3.9	-1.7	6.9	-1.6	1.6	-0.1	-7.0

Source: Experian and DVLA

Ages 2007 - % change from 2006
Region	6m	7 to 12m	1 to 2 yrs	2 to 3 yrs	3 to 4 yrs	4 to 5 yrs	5 to 6 yrs	6 to 7 yrs	7 to 8 yrs	8 to 9 yrs	9 to 10 yrs	10 + yrs
East Anglia	1.2	-0.6	-9.6	-11.0	-4.1	-4.7	4.4	-2.2	-3.9	-1.3	3.8	-2.6
East Midlands	-4.3	-5.7	-11.3	-9.7	-4.8	-6.2	7.0	0.1	-1.1	-1.7	1.4	-2.2
Greater London	-6.1	-7.9	-9.0	-6.2	-1.7	-5.2	2.9	-0.9	-2.5	0.4	1.5	-4.3
North East	-8.7	-7.8	-10.9	-12.8	-5.8	-3.3	10.2	-0.7	-5.6	-8.3	-0.3	-5.3
North West	-1.4	-6.2	-9.7	-9.7	-6.6	-4.9	6.7	-1.1	-2.3	-4.3	-1.1	-4.9
Scotland	0.8	-4.8	-6.7	-5.8	-0.9	0.2	13.5	2.2	-4.9	-3.3	3.6	-2.9
South East	-5.3	-7.4	-9.0	-6.7	-2.3	-4.1	5.4	1.8	-2.4	-1.6	5.0	-2.3
South West	-0.6	-8.3	-7.3	-7.1	-2.0	-5.0	3.4	-0.8	-2.7	-2.6	6.0	-1.6
Wales	-5.3	-6.3	-10.6	-8.4	-4.5	-4.3	6.9	-2.7	-4.0	-4.7	0.8	-3.5
West Midlands	-7.7	-3.4	-10.9	-8.3	-4.9	-4.4	6.5	0.1	-1.3	-2.3	1.1	-1.6
Yorkshire and the Humber	-4.3	-6.7	-10.3	-10.6	-6.9	-4.7	5.6	0.3	-1.2	-4.7	1.2	-2.8
National	1.8	-5.9	-8.9	-8.0	-3.7	-4.0	6.4	0.1	-2.4	-2.5	2.6	-2.6

Source: Experian and DVLA

Fuel 2007 - % change from 2006
Region	Diesel	Petrol	Electric	Hybrid	Others
East Anglia	3.8	-4.7	3400	97.0	16.2
East Midlands	2.9	-4.9	2550	29.3	5.9
Greater London	9.0	-5.3	195.2	80.9	13.3
North East	-0.4	-6.8	0	66.7	4.2
North West	1.0	-5.7	566.7	99.1	0.5
Scotland	4.1	-3.0	91.7	66.1	19.3
South East	5.0	-4.2	1360	75.8	8.2
South West	4.4	-4.0	487.5	65.5	5.6
Wales	0.5	-5.3	160	14.6	8.2
West Midlands	2.2	-4.2	833.3	66.0	9.4
Yorkshire and the Humber	1.1	-5.4	2000	56.3	10.2
National	4.0	-4.4	473.5	71.8	8.8

Source: Experian and DVLA

ENDS

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About Experian

Experian is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organisations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.

Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organisations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.

For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence.

Clients include organisations from financial services, retail and catalogue, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.

Experian Group Limited is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. It has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, California and Nottingham, UK. Experian employs around 15,500 people in 36 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries. Annual sales are in excess of $3.8 billion (£1.9 billion/€2.8 billion).

For more information, visit the Group's website on www.experiangroup.com. The word 'Experian' is a registered trademark in the EU and other countries and is owned by Experian Ltd and/or its associated companies.

About Experian's Automotive division

Experian's Automotive division provides powerful data insight to organisations within the automotive industry, including manufacturers, motor retailers, motor finance companies and insurance providers. It also works with carefully selected partners to deliver information direct to consumers.

Experian's risk management products provide clients with an independent assessment of vehicles, prospective business partners and customers and potential and existing employees. Powerful customer insight also enables these clients to accurately target the hottest customers and prospects using the most cost effective channels.

Experian's Automotive division works with over 80 per cent of the AM 100 and Motor Trader Top 200 enabling them to manage the risks and maximise the opportunities that face their businesses every day.

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