New car registrations tumble during November lockdown

Britain's new car market again declined in November, with registrations falling 27.4% year-on-year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

The industry recorded 113,781 new registration last month, with lockdown restrictions across England taking trade back to levels not seen since the 2008 recession.

However, the decline was still less severe than that seen during the first lockdown – when registrations fell by a record 97.3% in April.

Private demand fell by 32.2%, while registrations by large fleets posted a decline of 22.1%

On the other hand, market share for battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid vehicles continued to grow significantly, up 122.4% and 76.9%, respectively.

SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "Compared with the spring lockdown, manufacturers, dealers and consumers were all better prepared to adjust to constrained trading conditions. But with £1.3bn worth of new car revenue lost in November alone, the importance of showroom trading to the UK economy is evident and we must ensure they remain open in any future Covid restrictions.

"More positively, with a vaccine now approved, the business and consumer confidence on which this sector depends can only improve, giving the industry more optimism for the turn of the year."