New car registration data indicated a fall in registration figures in August 2021
Demand for electric vehicles increased slightly, but ongoing problems with supply has taken its toll on the market.
In a usually quiet period for new car registrations, the market fell by 22% pre plate.
There was no shortage of demand for hybrid and battery equipped vehicles. Plug in hybrids rose by 72%.
Shadowed by 2020’s Covid hit , the market YTD is up by 20.3%, but well below the levels before the pandemic hit.
The shortage of chips is still a battle for motor manufacturers.
New Car Registration Data Infographic (SMMT)
Performance on a monthly basis is by far the weakest since August 2013. In percentage terms, this represents a 7.6 decline against the last decades average. Some of the blame is based on the lack of availability of semiconductors, which is a global issue created by the pandemic. Naturally, this has had a direct effect on vehicle production.
New Car Registration Data Table (SMMT)
Surging ahead, battery powered vehicles, hybrids and plug in hybrids enjoyed an increase:
Battery powered vehicles up 32.2%
Hybrids up 45.7%
Plug in hybrids up 72%
The growing range of plug in hybrids is already significant with some 130 models currently available.
It was private registrations that held up better for the period:
Fleet purchases down 27.5% (12,627 vehicles)
Private vehicle purchases down 15.2% (33,771 vehicles)
New Car Registration Data Table By Sector (SMMT)
For 2021 to date new car registrations in the United Kingdom are still positive to the tune of 20.3%, representing 1,101,302 vehicles registered. This increase translates into 185,687 vehicles, with battery powered and plug in hybrids at 8.4% (a 6.6% share of the market respecively).
These numbers however are measured a gainst a Covid ravaged market, where showrooms were temporarily closed. Having factored this in, vehicle registrations are down 25% below the industries 10 year average (Jan to Aug). This clearly demonstrates the impact of the pandemic on the industry.
New Car Registration Data August 2021 (SMMT)
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