Car industry suffers weakest September in more than 20 years
5 October 2020, 15:34
Some 328,041 new cars were registered in the UK in September compared with 343,255 during the same month in 2019.
Demand for new cars fell to a 21-year low last month, industry data shows.
Some 328,041 new cars were registered in the UK in September, down 4.4% on the total of 343,255 during the same month in 2019, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
This was the weakest September performance since 1999 when new number plates began being issued twice per year, in March and September.
Sales of battery electric and plug-in hybrid cars bucked the trend with rises of 184.3% and 138.6% respectively.
Overall registrations during the first nine months of the year were down 33.2% compared with the same period in 2019.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “During a torrid year, the automotive industry has demonstrated incredible resilience, but this is not a recovery.
“Despite the boost of a new registration plate, new model introductions and attractive offers, this is still the poorest September since the two-plate system was introduced in 1999.
“Unless the pandemic is controlled and economy-wide consumer and business confidence rebuilt, the short-term future looks very challenging indeed.”
The SMMT warned that the industry faces “myriad challenges” during the remainder of the year, including Brexit uncertainty, the investment required to develop zero-emission capable vehicles, and the difficulty in achieving climate change targets amid stalling demand for new cars.
It expects the number of new cars registered during the year as a whole to be around 30.6% lower than in 2019, which is equivalent to £21.2 billion in lost sales.
James Fairclough, chief executive of AA Cars, said: “Dealerships are frantically playing catch up for the months of sales lost during lockdown. Even though many have made great strides over the summer, the winter months will be decisive in determining how sustainable the momentum is.
“Drivers’ concerns about the stability of their finances could also be pegging back demand for new cars and prompting many to look for better value on the second-hand market instead.”
