New car sales hit post-pandemic high – SMMT
New car sales in the May hit their highest levels since before the pandemic, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It reported a 7.1% rise in registrations to 160,662 units.
Private sales were up 17.2%, while fleet demand grew by a modest 1.8% but still accounted for 57.1% of all registrations.
In terms of fuel types, petrol and diesel cars fell by 7.1% and 2.2% respectively, while hybrid electric vehicle uptake rose 1.8% and plug-in hybrid deliveries grew 23.9% to take a 13.8% market share.
Meanwhile, electric vehicle uptake increased 34.2% to take 27.3% of the market. However, zero emission sales are still well behind ZEV Mandate targets. Year-to-date, electric vehicles account for just 23.9% of the market compared to the 33% stipulated.
More choice
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Britain’s car buyers are responding to a market offering more choice than ever, from both new and familiar brands, resulting in a robust May. The EV transition is progressing, but consumer uptake still lags behind even today’s targets, let alone the ambition set out in the latest carbon budget.
“While industry shares the long-term ambition, the pathway to Net Zero must be credible. It cannot come at the cost of lost competitiveness and deindustrialisation.
“A review of the transition is now urgent to ensure ambition matches market realities and we have a sustainable path to road transport decarbonisation.”
