New car sales continue to recover in UK but supply issues remain
Electric cars double market share
NEW CAR sales in June grew by 28% compared to June 2020, but global semiconductor shortages are limiting the supply of new vehicles.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the total of new car registrations for June was 186,128. However, that figure is still 16.4% below the average for the previous decade.
The shift away from pure combustion engines towards electrified models remains clear, with sales of pure diesel cars decreasing by 21.7% fr the year to date. Electrification through mild hybrids and conventional hybrids has collectively posted a strong increase and highlights how the industry is adapting its product offerings.
Despite the reductions to the Plug-in Car Grant in March, PHEVs continue to show strong growth with 12,129 units in the month resulting in a 6.5% market share.
The supply of cars remains an issue for several manufacturers as production is hamstrung by a global shortage of semiconductor microchips. Several factories have had to reduce output and pause the shipment of new cars in some cases until the necessary supplies are acquired, adding a further layer of complexity to what has become a perfect storm for the car industry.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “With the final phases of the UK’s vaccine rollout well underway and confidence increasing, the automotive sector is now battling against a ‘long Covid’ of vehicle supply challenges.
“The semiconductor shortages arising from Covid-constrained output globally are affecting vehicle production, disrupting supply on certain models and restricting the automotive recovery.”
Electric cars continue to grow in popularity
With an increasing number of electric cars to choose from, more and more drivers are making the switch. Last month saw 19,842 new electric cars take to the roads, an impressive 122% increase over the previous June, and so far this year the number of new electric cars registered is 73,893, accounting for a 6.4% market share.
The most popular car model sold in June was the pure-electric Tesla Model 3, with 5,468 units. Following in its wheel tracks were the Volkswagen Golf, Ford Puma, Vauxhall Corsa and Ford Fiesta, making up the top five respectively. But it was the Corsa that remains the most popular car of 2021, stretching out a healthy lead over the Ford Fiesta, which has topped the UK sales charts in recent years.
An optimistic Mike Hawes added: “Rebuilding for the next decade is now well underway with investment in local battery production beginning and a raft of new electrified models in showrooms.
“With the end of domestic restrictions later this month looking more likely, business and consumer optimism should improve further, fuelling increased spending, especially as the industry looks towards September and advanced orders for the next plate change.”
Consumer confidence may be returning, but it’s still company cars that account for the largest portion of new vehicle registrations. Some 52.9% or 481,258 vehicles make up the fleet market versus 410,698 vehicles (45.1% share) in the private market year-to-date.
While the latest registration figures appear to be heading in an upward trajectory, June 2021 remains one of the lowest in the last decade.
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- After reading that new car sales are continuing to recover in UK, you might be interested in the best-selling cars of 2020
- Also check out how the uptake of pure-electric cars has been affected by a reduction in government plug-in car grant.
- And if a terminology has you stumped, don’t miss this handy guide to the differences between mild-hybrids, full hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure-electric cars
