LONDON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- New car registrations in the United Kingdom (UK) reached 1.9 million in 2023, up 17.9 percent from a year ago, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Friday. This was the highest level since 2019, SMMT said.
Growth was driven entirely by fleet investment, as the previous year's supply constraints faded and pent-up demand was fulfilled, the industry body said. It added that the overall new car market remains 17.7 percent below pre-pandemic levels.
Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) achieved record sales over 2023, up by almost 50,000 units with nearly 315,000 new registrations. Meanwhile, last year also saw more BEVs reach the road than in 2020 and 2021 combined, the SMMT said.
The latest market outlook anticipates 2024's new car market to reach 1.97 million units, with 439,000 BEVs taking a 22.3 percent market share, it added. ■
