The automotive trade confronted one in every of its most difficult years in 2020, contending with nationwide lockdowns, plus manufacturing unit and dealership shutdowns.
Regardless of the pandemic, 1.63 million new automobiles have been registered within the UK, in contrast with 2.3m in 2019 – a decline of almost a 3rd (29%), and the bottom whole since 1992.
Nevertheless, there was some excellent news within the figures launched by the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT). Battery and plug-in hybrid electrical automobiles accounted for a couple of in 10 registrations, up from round one in 30 in 2019.
Demand for electrical autos (EVs) grew by 185.9% to 108,205 automobiles, whereas registrations of plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) rose 91.2% to 66,877.
Right here’s are Britain’s hottest new automobiles of 2020…
- Ford Fiesta – 49,174 registrations
- Vauxhall Corsa – 46,439
- Volkswagen Golf – 43.109
- Ford Focus – 39,372
- Mercedes-Benz A Class – 37,608
- Nissan Qashqai – 33,972
- MINI – 31,233
- Volkswagen Polo – 26,965
- Ford Puma – 26,294
- Volvo XC40 – 25,023
“The automotive trade had quite a bit thrown at it final 12 months, with Covid restrictions closing showrooms, buying and selling tariffs in query as Brexit loomed, and with the federal government altering the goalposts once more on the sale of recent ICE autos, it’s not shocking that new automotive gross sales have taken successful,” stated Ian Plummer, Auto Dealer’s Industrial Director.
“There have nevertheless been some brilliant spots as we’ve seen a wholesome rise within the variety of EVs on our roads. With shopper curiosity in greener applied sciences rising, coupled with a plethora of recent fashions now obtainable, the inexperienced transition has definitely begun.
“If we have been to see this continued degree of uptake in EVs then we anticipate that gross sales of recent EVs and plug in hybrids will overtake diesel automobiles in 2021, after which pure EVs will overtake these of their inside combustion engine counterparts in 2026.”
