New car sales down 10.4% in April – SMMT
New car sales fell 10.4% in April to 120,331 registrations, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Sales have now fallen in six of the last seven months, with last month’s total down 13,943 units on the same month in 2024 and 25.3% below the April figure in pre-pandemic 2019.
Registrations fell across all sales types, with private, fleet and business demand down 7.9%, 11.9% and 10.9% respectively.
Meanwhile, demand for hybrid electric vehicles fell 2.9%, with petrol and diesel registrations down 22% and 26.2% respectively, but sales of plug-in hybrids was up 34.1% and electric vehicle sales rose 8.1% to 24,558 units, accounting for 20.4% of the market.
Year-to-date the new car market is up 3.1% while new electric vehicle registrations have risen 35.2% in the first quarter to take a 20.7% market share.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “April’s performance is disappointing but expected after March’s surge. Another month of growth for electric vehicle registrations is good news, however, even if demand remains well below ambition. Recent government adjustments to flexibilities and compliance within the ZEV Mandate are welcome and an important first step in relieving some of the pressure on the market and manufacturers.
“However, EV uptake is still being heavily and unsustainably subsidised by the industry which is why a compelling package of measures from government is essential if consumers are going to make the switch.”
