New car sales break two-million barrier
New car sales topped two million units for the first time since the pandemic last year, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Registrations rose by 3.9% in December to 146,249 units, taking the annual total to 2,020,520.
Meanwhile, electric vehicles accounted for 32.2% of the total market in the final month of the year, exceeding the ZEV Mandate target of 28% for the first time.
Across the year, 473,348 new electric vehicles were registered to account for 23.9% of all sales. Hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) volumes rose by 7.2% to achieve a 13.9% market share, while plug-in hybrids were the fastest growing powertrain, with volumes increasing 34.7% to take 11.1% of registrations.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The new car market finally reaching two million registrations for the first time this decade is a reasonably solid result amid tough economic and geopolitical headwinds.
“Rising EV uptake is an undoubted positive, but the pace is still too slow and the cost to industry too high. Government has stepped in with the Electric Car Grant, but a new EV tax, additional charges for EV drivers in London and costly public charging send mixed signals.
“Given developments abroad, government should bring forward its review and act urgently to deliver a vibrant market, a sustainable industry and an investment proposition that keeps the UK at the forefront of global competition.”
