The UK new car market has fallen by -3.5% to
234,945 registrations for June 2018.

Petrol engines and electric plug-in vehicles posted a growth but demand is still down for diesel vehicles.

Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said,

“Despite a rocky first six months for the new car market, it’s great to see demand for alternatively fuelled vehicles continue to rise. Given these cars still represent only one in 20 registrations, however, they cannot yet have the impact in driving down overall emissions that conventional vehicles, including diesels, continue to deliver. Recent government statements acknowledging the importance of petrol and diesel are encouraging. However, we now need a strategy that supports industry investment into next generation technologies and puts motorists back in the driving seat, encouraged to buy the car that best suits their needs – whatever its fuel type.”

Figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)