Improving supply components and completed cars has seen another rise in registrations in February, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Sales in Wales rose the most in Britain with a 29.6% increase to 2,370 new cars.
SMMT datum show 74,441 cars were registered last month – a 26.2 per cent rise on February 2022’s lower numbers but it was was down by just 6.5 per cent on the pre-pandemic February 2020. It marked the seventh consecutive month of new car sales growth from the pandemic knock-backs last year.
The SMMT said that despite February traditionally being a slow month ahead of the March plate-change, it was buoyed by supply chain issues ‘easing’. Private, fleet and business sectors all saw jumps in registrations – up 5.8 per cent, 46.2 per cent, and 0.7 per cent respectively – while only executive and luxury saloon car segments saw falls (15.4 per cent and 6.3 per cent respectively).
Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) jumped the most in February, recording a 40 per cent increase, sales of petrol cars rose 35.8 per cent with a 56.9 per cent market share, while diesel registrations fell by seven per cent and continued the decline experienced for several months.
PHEVs rose by one per cent while pure-electrics soared by 18.2 per cent and the SMMT repeated its call for ‘binding targets’ for charging point roll-outs, due to an estimated 488,000 plug-in cars expected to join the UK’s roads this year.
The organisation also said that the Spring Budget is ‘an important opportunity’ to introduce a long-term plan for charging point investment, aligning VAT on public charging with domestic energy use, and reviewing the Vehicle Excise Duty premium that will unfairly penalise EV buyers in the future.
Ford was the best selling brand, overtaking Volkswagen with Vauxhall just behind them.
| February UK best sellers:
Vauxhall Corsa Vauxhall Mokka Ford Puma Nissan Juke Hyundai Tucson Tesla Model Y VW T-Roc Ford Fiesta Kia Sportage Toyota C-HR |
Wales top sellers:
Ford Puma Ford Ecosport Nissan Juke Vauxhall Mokka Vauxhall Corsa Hyundai Tucson Dacia Sandero Ford Fiesta Ford Focus Fiat 500 |
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes sai, “After seven months of growth, it is no surprise that the UK automotive sector is facing the future with growing confidence.
‘It is vital, however, that government takes every opportunity to back the market, which plays a significant role in Britain’s economy and net zero ambition. As we move into “new plate month” in March, with more of the latest high-tech cars available, the upcoming Budget must deliver measures that drive this transition, increasing affordability and ease of charging for all.”
It was also the best van registrations’ month in a quarter of a century, said the SMMT.
The UK new light commercial vehicle (LCV) market grew for the second consecutive month in February, rising by 8.5% to 17,540 units.
