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Is the car industry in trouble? New car sales fall for 31 consecutive months

6th Nov 2019

UK new car registrations fell by 6.7% in October, as 10,348 fewer cars were sold when compared with the same month in 2018.

Diesel cars faced a sales slump for the 31st consecutive month, according to figures from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

While petrol cars faced a 3.2% drop in sales, alternatively fuelled vehicles have gathered momentum and account for a record 9.9% of the market.

Their sales have been boosted by a 151.8% increase in demand for electric vehicles when compared to October 2018.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The growth in alternatively fuelled cars is very welcome, showing increasing buyer appetite for these new technologies.

“The overall market remains tough, however, with October now the year’s eighth month of decline and in need of an injection of confidence.”

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SMMT’s figures paint a bleak picture for the car industry, as sales over the first 10 months of 2019 are down 2.9% when compared to last year.

September 2019 saw a 1.3% increase in overall car sales, largely due to a steep slump in the same month in 2018. However, this was the lowest growth rate among the major European markets.

Some motoring industry experts are speculating that the current political landscape might be a factor. Mr Hawes, SMMT, referenced this possibility by adding: "Whether the general election delivers a ‘bounce’ to the economy remains to be seen but, with attractive deals and an ever-greater choice of low, ultra low and zero emission models arriving in the UK’s showrooms, consumers have every incentive to consider buying a new car."

October’s figures come after experts predicted an electric vehicle sales surge earlier this year.

In May 2019, the RAC announced plans to help drivers combat fears around EV range anxiety by developing the UK’s first ever lightweight EV charger.

A growing number of our orange patrol vans are now equipped with these chargers, which can give stranded, out-of-charge cars a boost to help them continue their journey.