The variety of new vehicles registered within the UK final month was the bottom in June since 1996, new figures have revealed, as provide shortages hampered the automotive trade.
The info, launched this morning by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT), confirmed that 140,958 vehicles have been registered, down 45,180 (24.3%) on June 2021.
The continued shortages of important parts, equivalent to semiconductors, is being exacerbated by Covid-related restrictions in China, the SMMT stated, in addition to restrictions brought on by the warfare in Ukraine.
Within the UK, diesel vehicles declined probably the most, registrations practically halving from 15,027 in June 2021 to 8003 (46.7%) this June.
Plug-in hybrids took the subsequent largest hit, with simply 7714 vehicles registered, down 36.5% (12,139).
Petrol vehicles have been once more the preferred, with 62,005 registrations for a 44% market share. These too declined, nonetheless, with 24,406 fewer registered than in June 2021 (86,411).
The one section to file progress was battery-electric vehicles, up 2895 (14.6%) from 19,842 to 22,737. Their market share additionally grew to 16.1%.
For the 12 months up to now, registrations have fallen by 11.9% (107,894) to 802,079. This, the SMMT notes, makes it the weakest first half 12 months efficiency since 1992 – bar 2020, when the world was within the midst of the Covid pandemic.
SMMT chief govt Mike Hawes stated: “The semiconductor scarcity is stifling the new-car market much more than final 12 months’s lockdown.
“Electrical car demand continues to be the one vibrant spot, as extra electrical vehicles than ever take to the street, however whereas this progress is welcome, it’s not but sufficient to offset weak total volumes, which has enormous implications for fleet renewal and our potential to fulfill total carbon-reduction targets.
“With motorists going through rising gasoline prices, nonetheless, the change to an electrical automobile makes ever extra sense, and the trade is working onerous to enhance provide and prioritize deliveries of those new applied sciences, given the financial savings they will afford drivers.”
