UK car sales fell over August, according to new figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
After a spike in sales throughout July, sales fell 5.8% with a total of 87,000 sold in August.
Sales spiked in July as it was the first full month after the lockdown. Sales increased by 11% due to pent-up demand.
Across the year so far, car sales are down 39.7% compared to this time in 2019.
The number of sales of plug-in hybrids surged by 221%.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said:
“The decline is disappointing, following some brief optimism in July. However, given August is typically one the new car market’s quietest months, it’s important not to draw too many conclusions from these figures alone.”
“With the all-important plate change month just around the corner, September is likely to provide a better barometer. As the nation takes steps to return to normality, protecting consumer confidence will be critical to driving a recovery,” he added.
James Fairclough, chief executive of AA Cars, added: “September is traditionally one of the busiest in the calendar – with the market given a boost as new registration plates are introduced and dealers work hard to hit quarterly targets.”