New car registrations in the United Kingdom (UK) fell by 35pc in June to 145,377 units from 223,421 units registered in the prior-year month, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) data.
This is also the lowest number of registrations since 2004, the data revealed.
In April and May, car sales had fallen by 97pc and 89pc, respectively, due to stringent COVID-19 lockdown measures. June sales, however, indicate a gradual recovery on the back of reopening of showrooms in England, though showrooms remained shut in Wales and Scotland for most of the month.
In Jan-June period, the car sales stood at 653,502 units, down by 48.5pc from 1,269,245 units in the same period prior-year.
Jan-June
| Car Sales | Jan-June 2020 | Jan-June 2019 | Pc Change |
| Private | 314,588 | 567,991 | -44.6% |
| Fleet | 325,518 | 671,568 | -51.5% |
| Business | 13,396 | 29,686 | -54.9% |
| Total | 653,502 | 1,269,245 | -48.5% |
SMMT has urged the UK government to “infuse financial impetus” to help the economy back to normal encourage buyers, stated the auto body’s Chief Executive, Mike Hawes.