New car sales crash gloom

DEALERS WORST SEPTEMBER SINCE 1999

CAR dealers suffered their worst September sales this century.

Just 328,041 new motors were registered in what is the second most important month of the year because of the number plate change.

But the appeal of having a new 70-plate motor, combined with th model updates and attractive deals, was not enough. Last month’s registration on figure was down 4.4% year- on- year, the lowest September since ce 1999, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders ( SMMT). It follows weak sales over ver the last two Septembers after regulatory changes linked to new emissions tests caused supply problems across Europe.

Private registrations fell 1.1% last month while demand from business was down 5.8%. Demand for battery electric vehicles ( BEVs) rocketed 184.3% year-on-year, to 21,903. Last month’s best selling model was the Vauxhall Corsa. SMMT chief Mike Hawes said: “During a torrid year, the automotive industry has demonstrated incredible resilience, but this is not a recovery.

“Unless the pandemic is controlled and economy- wide consumer and business confidence rebuilt, the short-term future looks very challenging indeed.”

A Cars chief James Fairclough added: “Dealerships are frantically playing catch up for the months of sales lost during lockdown.”

Karen Johnson, head of retail and wholesale at Barclays Corporate Banking, said that the new car market was “in something of a rut”.