New car registrations in the UK rose for the first time in seven months in August as battery-electric vehicle uptake continued to grow, according to figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Registrations were up by 1.2% year on year – the first sign of growth since February – as 68,858 new cars hit the road, but it was also the weakest August performance since 2013, bar 2021.
August is usually a quieter month for car sales due to many drivers waiting for the September numberplate change, but the SMMT said the meagre growth figure was also partly caused by parts shortages and ongoing Covid-19 lockdowns overseas.
