New car sales down nearly 40% in January 2021

February 4, 2021

New car sales fell 39.5 percent in January 2021 as fresh lockdown measures saw showrooms close and registrations plummet.

Just 90,249 new cars were registered in January – the worst start to a new year since 1970, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

The sales decline represents a massive 59,030 fewer cars registered compared to January 2020.

There were more positive signs in the UK’s move towards electric cars though, with battery electric registrations leaping 54.4 percent to a 6.9 percent market share.

Plug-in hybrids accounted for 6.8 percent: combined, this represents 13.7 percent of sales.

Traditional hybrids took 7.6 percent of the market: combine all three and EVs, plug-ins and hybrids outsold diesel-engined vehicles.

“The auto industry faces a difficult start to 2021,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“The necessary lockdown will challenge society, the economy and our industry’s ability to move quickly towards our ambitious environmental goals.

“Every day that showrooms can safely open will matter, especially with the critical month of March looming.

Vauxhall Corsa is no. 1

The Vauxhall Corsa took the top spot in January, well ahead of its arch-rival, the Ford Fiesta, which ended up back in fourth.

The Kia Sportage sprung a surprise in second place though, finishing just behind the Corsa, and just ahead of the British-built Nissan Qashqai.

Kia took a top-10 double with the Niro ending up in ninth place.

The Volvo XC40 continues to perform well in the UK with with fifth place in the January 2021 registrations, while Ford’s Focus was well back in 10th place.

Vauxhall says it is pleased with its January performance, growing its market share to 7.3 percent.