The UK new car market recorded a third month of growth in October, with registrations rising by 26.4% to 134,344 units.
According to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the increase follows a particularly disappointing October 2021 when deliveries fell by 24.6%.
In the year to date, the market is down 5.6% on the same period in 2021 and a third below pre-Covid levels.
However, battery electric vehicle (BEV) registrations increased by 23.4% to 19,933 and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) by 6.2% to 8,899. Deliveries of hybrid electric vehicles rocketed 81.7% to account for more than one in 10 new cars.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “A strong October is hugely welcome, albeit in comparison with a weak 2021, but it is still not enough to offset the damage done by the pandemic and subsequent supply shortages. Next year’s outlook shows recovery is possible and EV growth looks set to continue but, to achieve our shared net zero goals, that growth must accelerate and consumers given every reason to invest. This means giving them the economic stability and confidence to make the switch, safe in the knowledge they will be able to charge – and charge affordably – when needed. The models are there, with more still to come; so must the public chargepoints.”
