Diesel slide continues as UK car sales fall for 11th month running

(The Guardian, 5 Mar 2018) Number of new cars registered in February falls by 2.8% despite rises in petrol and electric sales.

Slumping demand for diesel vehicles dragged down new car sales in February, marking the 11th consecutive month of declines for Britain’s new car market.

The number of new cars registered dropped 2.8% compared to the same month a year ago to 80,805, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), the industry trade body. The rate of decline has slowed from the double-digit drops seen at the end of last year.

But sales of diesel cars fell by 23.5% to 28,317 last month, reducing their share of the market to 35% from 44.5% a year ago.

February is usually a quiet month before the number plate change in March, when around a quarter of all cars are registered each year. Dealers often offer discounts to sell cars with old plates.

However, the SMMT is expecting a further year-on-year drop in March, as this time last year buyers were rushing to get their new cars registered before an increase in vehicle excise duty in April 2017.

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The Guardian, 5 Mar 2018: Diesel slide continues as UK car sales fall for 11th month running

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