New car market demand falls by 6.7 per cent in October

The demand to buy new cars dropped by 6.7% during October, totaling 10,348 less cars registered compared to 2018.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers Traders (SMMT) said these figures are a reflection of the tough economic and political uncertainty that has hit confidence.

The SMMT said the decline was driven by a 13.2% fall in demand to buy new cars from private consumers.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive said, “The growth in alternatively fuelled cars is very welcome, showing increasing buyer appetite for these new technologies.

“The overall market remains tough, however, with October now the year’s eighth month of decline and in need of an injection of confidence.

“Whether the general election delivers a ‘bounce’ to the economy remains to be seen but, with attractive deals and an ever-greater choice of low, ultra-low and zero emission models arriving in the UK’s showrooms, consumers have every incentive to consider buying a new car.”