New Car Market Falls in May
By News

Figures released by SMMT show that in May, the new UK car market declined by 4.6% with 183,724 units registered.

These figures are due to:

  • The uncertainty over diesel
  • Clean air zones.
  • The removal of incentives for plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Crossing all sales types, registrations by private consumers, fleets and business businesses declined by 5.0%, 3.0% and 29.0% respectively.

  • Executive and dual-purpose vehicles increased the trend, growing 9.1% and 16.0%.
  • Demand for superminis and small family cars fell, but still taking a combined 56.3% of the market.
  • There was a 1.0% growth of petrol registrations and 11.7% increase of alternatively fueled vehicle registrations.
  • Petrol electric hybrids were up 34.6% to 7,785 units.
  • Battery electric cars rose 81.1% but still only representing 1.1% of the overall market.
  • Plug-in hybrids were down 40.6%.

SMMT Chief Executive, Mike Hawes, said: “Confusing policy messages and changes to incentives continue to affect consumer and business confidence, causing drivers to keep hold of their older, more polluting vehicles for longer. New cars are safer, cleaner and more advanced than ever and, with sophisticated safety, efficiency and comfort features as well as a host of attractive deals on offer, there has never been a better time to invest in a new car.”