Figures from the Society of Motor Manufactures and Traders reveal that new UK car registrations fell 24.3% in June.
Just 140,958 new vehicles were registered, making it the weakest June performance since 1996. Declines were most significant in large fleets, which recorded a 27.6% fall while private consumer volumes dropped by 21.7%.
However, battery electric vehicles (BEVs) continue to buck the trend with a 14.6% increase in volume, swelling its market share from 10.7% last year to 16.1%.
Over the year to date, new car registrations are 11.9% down compared to 2021 (802,079 units), representing a shortfall of 107,894.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said, “The semiconductor shortage is stifling the new car market even more than last year’s lockdown. Electric vehicle demand continues to be the one bright spot, as more electric cars than ever take to the road, but while this growth is welcome it is not yet enough to offset weak overall volumes, which has huge implications for fleet renewal and our ability to meet overall carbon reduction targets.
“With motorists facing rising fuel costs, however, the switch to an electric car makes ever more sense and the industry is working hard to improve supply and prioritise deliveries of these new technologies given the savings they can afford drivers.”
