(Reuters) -Britain’s new-car market logged its best September in five years, industry data showed on Saturday, as the crucial “new numberplate” month delivered record electric-vehicle uptake after a summer slowdown.
The strong September performance, which typically accounts for about one in seven annual registrations, offers a boost to Britain’s automotive sector as it races to meet government targets for electric-vehicle adoption amid concerns over weak private-buyer demand.
UK new car registrations rose 13.7% in September to 312,887, with electrified vehicles making up more than half of the registrations for the first time, according to preliminary figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
“Electrified vehicles are powering market growth after a sluggish summer,” SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said in a statement, adding that the Electric Car Grant would help break down affordability barriers for drivers.
A report from New AutoMotive published on Friday showed nearly flat year-on-year growth for Tesla in the UK.
(Reporting by Yamini Kalia in Bengaluru; Editing by Tasim Zahid)
