The UK’s new car market experienced growth for the first time since February 2022, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The SMMT's research found that new car sales experienced a 1.2% growth in August, with 68,858 new vehicles joining the road in what is typically the second quietest month of the year.
However, despite the growth, it was still the second weakest August since 2013, only behind 2021, as supply chain issues continue to constrain the market.
Overall, growth was driven by battery electric vehicles, which recorded a 35.4% increase in sales volumes and a 14.5% market share, although even growth in this segment is slowing, with the year-to-date figure at 48.8%.
Superminis remained the most popular vehicle class, growing their market share to 34%, with 7.4% more of them delivered to customers last month compared to August last year.
Some of the best sellers in August were the Volkswagen Polo, Ford Puma, Hyundai Tuscon and the Vauxhall Corsa, which is also the best-selling new car in the year so far.
Overall, year-to-date car registrations are down 10.7% from last year, and 35.3% lower than during the first eight months of 2019.
“August’s new car market growth is welcome but marginal during a low volume month,” said Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive in a statement, “Spiralling energy costs and inflation on top of sustained supply chain challenges are piling even more pressure on the automotive industry’s post-pandemic recovery, and we urgently need the new Prime Minister to tackle these challenges and restore confidence and sustainable growth.”
“With September traditionally a bumper time for new car uptake, the next month will be the true barometer of industry recovery as it accelerates the transition to zero emission mobility despite the myriad challenges," Hawes concluded.