Hybrid earned nearly 13.8% of this year’s new car market
Demand for new cars fell by 14.7% in May compared to the same month in 2019.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) revealed that 156,737 cars were registered in the UK last month.
The figures show an increase of nearly 675% from May 2020 when showrooms were forced to shut down as the first lockdown came into effect.
Since the beginning of the year total registrations are still down by 29.1% compared to the average between 2010 and 2019.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “With dealerships back open and a brighter, sunnier economic outlook, May’s registrations are as good as could reasonably be expected.
“Increased business confidence is driving the recovery, something that needs to be maintained and translated in private consumer demand as the economy emerges from pandemic support measures.
“Demand for electrified vehicles is helping encourage people into showrooms, but for these technologies to surpass their fossil-fuelled equivalents, a long-term strategy for market transition and infrastructure investment is required.”
Hybrid vehicles are making up ground, earning 13.8% of this year’s new car market, an increase of 6.6% from the same point a year ago.
“But for these technologies to surpass their fossil-fuelled equivalents a long-term strategy for market transition and infrastructure investment is required,” Hawes said.
James Fairclough, chief executive of AA Cars, told The Times: “The new car market has burst back into life and sales in May were up substantially on April’s figures as buyers once again flocked to showrooms across the UK. With lockdown restrictions set to be eased even further in late June many prospective buyers will be keen to choose a vehicle that will enable them to enjoy a summer staycation in the UK, or just to travel to see family and friends across the country.”
“It may take some time for sales of new cars to return to their pre-pandemic levels, as many drivers continue to be drawn primarily to the used market, which offers affordable price points and plenty of choice,” Fairclough added.
The battery electric vehicle market saw a fall from 12% last May to 8.4% in 2021.
