New car sales fell by 24.6% in October compared with the same month last year, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
There were 106,265 registrations last month, with sales slumping for the fourth month in a row as the semiconductor shortage continued to affect the supply of new cars.
However, plug-in vehicle uptake remained positive, with electric vehicles equalling their September market share of 15.2% and plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) growing their share to 7.9%.
The SMMT is forecasting new car sales to finish the year on 1.66 million, 1.9% up on 2020, with a “partial recovery” in 2022.
Mike Hawes, SMMT Chief Executive, said: “The current performance reflects the challenging supply constraints, with the industry battling against semiconductor shortages and increasingly strong economic headwinds as inflation rises, taxes increase and consumer confidence has weakened.
"Electrified vehicles, however, continue to buck the trend, with almost one in six new cars registered this year capable of zero-emission motoring, growth that is fundamental to the UK’s ability to hit its net zero targets."
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