New car registrations worst since 1952

Following the SMMT’s publication of new car registration figures for May 2020, Jonathan Moss, Head of Transport at global legal services business DWF, commented that the numbers are the worst since 1952. He said:

“Today’s figures show a significant decrease in UK new car registrations output in May. Despite some signs of recovery earlier in the year, this data captures the full effect of the COVID-19 pandemic hitting the UK economy, and it has hit hard. Only 20,247 cars were registered in May, the lowest on record since 1952.

“The car market has ongoing been on a downward trend, reacting to a series of adverse factors including geopolitical pressures, weak business and consumer confidence and confusion over rules relating to clean air zones, now the impacts of COVID-19 have left demand for new cars at an all-time low.

“There is clear support from the Government for the automotive sector, and the Government is actively looking to accelerate projects as part of the economic recovery plan. Showrooms in England reopened last week following more than two months of closures, but with the majority of employees working from home for the foreseeable future it is becoming increasingly difficult to predict when the automotive sector will get back on track.”