New car registrations fall

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said new car registrations fell by 10.4% in April as 120,331 new cars were registered.

The SMMT said the decline in cars was due to different factors including the new vehicle excise duty regulations.

The sales of new pure battery vehicles rose by 8.1% last month which saw a market share of 20.4%, up from 16.9% the previous year.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said, “Another month of growth for electric vehicle registrations is good news, however, even if demand remains well below ambition.

“Recent Government adjustments to flexibilities and compliance within the Zev mandate are welcome and an important first step in relieving some of the pressure on the market and manufacturers.

“However, EV uptake is still being heavily and unsustainably subsidised by the industry, which is why a compelling package of measures from Government is essential if consumers are going to make the switch.”

Ian Plummer, commercial director of online vehicle marketplace Auto Trader, said “short-term turbulence” is most likely to blame for April’s softening new car sales.

He added: “We’re seeing new car visits on Auto Trader up 8% on 2024 and we’re confident this will convert to sales in the coming months.”