UK car sales surge in May

NEW car registrations in the UK grew by 674 per cent in May compared to the same month last year, when showrooms were closed during lockdowns, industry data showed on Friday (4)

Dealers reopened their doors to the public on April 12 in England this year, but were shut throughout May in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns.

However, car purchases in May remained below 2019 levels, it said.

Volumes stood at 156,737, boosted by business fleet demand, far higher than the 20,247 cars sold in May 2020, but still short of the 183,724 purchases made in 2019, according to data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The industry has also been facing a shortage of semi-conductor chips, which forced many manufacturers around the world to cut output in recent months.

"Increased business confidence is driving the recovery, something that needs to be maintained and translated in private consumer demand as the economy emerges from pandemic support measures," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

The industry has forecast full-year sales of 1.86 million new cars.