New car sales in the UK rose 6.6% to 380,627 units in March, according to new figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This makes it the highest March volume recorded since pre-Covid 2019.
Growth was driven by a 10.1% rise in retail sales, while fleet sales increased 3.5%.
Meanwhile, electric vehicle registrations were recorded at 196,059 units, with plug-in hybrids up 46.9% to take a 13% market share, hybrid sales rising 7.3% to account for a 15.8% market share, and pure electric vehicle registrations up to 86,120 units and a new record market share of 24.2%.
However, this remains below the 33% target set by the ZEV Mandate.
Big boost
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The strongest new car market since 2019, with the highest ever volume of EV registrations, is a boost to the industry and the economy. However, the headlines belie the costs incurred and the challenges involved.
“Much of March’s performance will be from orders placed before the start of the Iran conflict, which threatens to raise the cost of living, undermining consumer confidence.
“Against this backdrop, and with the EV market falling further away from mandated levels despite record levels of incentives, an urgent review of the transition is required to secure a sustainable market, economic growth and the UK’s net zero ambitions.
