Good news for the UK new car market. March, which would normally be a busy month with the number plate change did not fail to disappoint according to the latest figures from the Society of Motoring Manufacturers and Traders .
A total of 380,627 new vehicles were registered making it the best month since 2019. The good news doesn’t stop there, most of the growth was driven by private new car registrations with a total of 162,470 new units being registered which is a 10.1% rise.
Last month was also the best month for electrified vehicles with a total of 196,059 new registrations.
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.
Said Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive.
March most registered new car was the Jaecoo 7.
Figures from the SMMT.
About the author
Sheridan is an independent automotive editor and founder of We Blog Any Car. With over 30 years’ experience in the motor industry, his work focuses on market insight, buying signals, and real world automotive analysis, with a particular interest in the modern classic market.
February 2026 new car registrations
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