Data for the August latest automotive market shows that Tesla was the ninth most in-demand automotive brand, ahead of the likes of Mercedes-Benz, Peugeot, MG Motor and Volvo.
Nonetheless Volkswagen topped the table, outselling Tesla by two cars to 1, in a month that overall ended 24.4% ahead of August 2022 with 85,657 latest automotive registrations.
The rise was fuelled by a surge in registrations by large fleets, rising 58.4% to 51,951 units, while business registrations grew 39.4% to 1,635 units.
Conversely, upfront of the September plate-change private demand softened by -8.1% in August, compared with a supply-constrained 2022 market.
That strong fleet sector demand also helped battery electric vehicles (BEVs) take a 20.1% share of the market, the very best achieved this 12 months. Corporate fleets and company automotive user-choosers proceed to be offered fiscal advantages to swap to electric cars, unlike the private motorist.
Plug-in hybrids rose by 70% to take a 7.7% share of August’s sales. Hybrids remain stable, with 10% share.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said, “With the automotive industry starting a second 12 months of growth, recovery is underway with EVs energising the market. But with a brand new Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate as a result of come into force in lower than 120 days, manufacturers still await the small print.
“Businesses cannot plan on the idea of consultations, they need certainty. And now, greater than ever, government must match motion to ambition, ensuring there are the incentives and infrastructure in place to persuade drivers to make the switch.”
The SMMT said the automotive sector is committed to Net Zero however the diminishing time threatens the flexibility of the market to maneuver.
Demand from each business and personal consumers have to be boosted still further, it said, if ambitions are to be met, but while businesses profit from fiscal incentives to modify, there isn’t any similar package for the private consumer market.
While Volkswagen led August’s market with 8,335 latest automotive registrations, followed by Ford in second place with 7,449 units, the exclusively EV brand Tesla was the ninth highest selling automotive brand within the UK, with 4,021 registrations.
Its achievement bettered those of Mercedes-Benz (at 3,646 latest cars), Peugeot (at 3,112 latest cars), Nissan (2,336 units) and Volvo (1,648 units).
> NEW CAR REGISTRATION DATA
This Article First Appeared At www.am-online.com