New car sales rise in UK as industry looks towards recovery 

Based on figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), it also said that last month marked the best November for car sales that the industry has seen since the start of the pandemic, with monthly sales figures being 23.5% higher than compared to the same period last year. 

Annual figures remain lower than 2021 but will however give the industry some well needed relief and renew optimism in an overall recovery.  

While industry leaders are optimistic, they are by no means complacent, with SMMT saying manufacturers are still having to deal with an inconsistent supply of components imported internationally, with semiconductor chips in particular presenting problems. 

Uptake on electric vehicles (EVs), meanwhile, continues to grow, with newly registered battery electric vehicles (BEVs) up 35.2%, representing more than one in five new cars (20.6%) – the largest monthly share of BEVs this year.  

Plug-in hybrid registrations fell by -5.7%, making up 7.1% of the market. As a result, 39,558 new plug-ins were registered, representing more than one in four (27.7%) new cars joining UK roads in November.  

Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), meanwhile, rose by 66.9% to make up 11.2% of the market, particularly driven by fleet operators looking for flexibility and a reduction in emissions. 

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “Recovery for Britain’s new car market is back within our grasp, energised by electrified vehicles and the sector’s resilience in the face of supply and economic challenges. 

“As the sector looks to ensure that growth is sustainable for the long term, urgent measures are required – not least a fair approach to driving EV adoption that recognises these vehicles remain more expensive, and measures to compel investment in a charging network that is built ahead of need. 

“By doing so we can encourage consumer appetite across the country and accelerate the UK’s journey to net zero.”