New Car Sales in the UK Continue to Rise, Fueled by Fleet Market Growth

New Car Registrations Increase for 22nd Consecutive Month

In May, a total of 147,678 new cars were registered in the UK, marking a 1.7% year-on-year increase. This growth trend has been consistent for the past 22 months, with the fleet market playing a significant role in driving sales while private demand sees a decline.

Fleet Sales Surge by 14%

The rise in new car registrations in May was largely attributed to a strong performance in the fleet and business sectors. Fleet sales saw a notable 14% increase year on year, while sales to businesses rose by 9.5%. However, sales to private buyers experienced a decline of 12.9%.

Shift Towards Electric Vehicles

While petrol and diesel sales dropped, sales of plug-in hybrids increased by 31.5%. Battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) also saw a positive growth, with a 6.2% rise in registrations. The market share of BEVs now stands at 17.6%, with fleet sales contributing to this increase.

Industry Calls for Support

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes emphasized the need for government support to facilitate a faster transition to electric vehicles. While manufacturers have been offering attractive deals on electric models, sustained support is crucial for the industry’s long-term success.

Top-Selling Cars in May

The Kia Sportage emerged as the best-selling car in the UK for May, followed by the Ford Puma and Audi A3. The Ford Puma continues to lead the overall sales chart for the year, with the Sportage, Nissan Qashqai, and A3 close behind.