For the first time since the pandemic a million cars were sold in the first half of a year, according to industry data. But the numbers are still well below the 2019 pre-pandemic year sales and demand from individual private buyers has collapsed amid a cost of living crisis, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders show. Money latest - savers have a rare opportunity In the first six months of 2024 - 1,006,763 new cars have been registered.
'The private consumer market continues to shrink against a difficult economic backdrop, but with the right policies in place, the next government can re-energise the market and deliver a faster, fairer zero-emission transition,' SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said. Electric vehicles UK carmakers are legally mandated to have electric vehicles make up 22% of sales by this year.