{"id":242188,"date":"2025-07-06T08:05:09","date_gmt":"2025-07-06T08:05:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/242188\/"},"modified":"2025-07-06T08:05:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-06T08:05:09","slug":"new-car-sales-stall-in-wales-despite-uk-wide-growth","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/242188\/","title":{"rendered":"New car sales stall in Wales despite UK-wide growth"},"content":{"rendered":"

The UK\u2019s new car market recorded its strongest June performance since 2019<\/strong>, according to the latest figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)<\/strong>. Registrations rose by 6.7%<\/strong> year-on-year to 191,316 units<\/strong>, marking the second consecutive month of growth<\/strong> across the country.<\/p>\n

The positive June results helped lift performance across the first half of 2025 to 3.5% above the same period last year<\/strong>. However, the market still lags 17.9% behind pre-pandemic levels<\/strong>, showing there\u2019s still some way to go in a full recovery.<\/p>\n

Wales Registers a Dip<\/strong><\/p>\n

Despite strong nationwide growth, the picture in Wales was less encouraging<\/strong>, with 5,818 new cars registered in June<\/strong>, representing a 4.17% decrease<\/strong> on the same month last year. This figure also sits 14.4% behind June 2019 levels<\/strong>, underlining the region\u2019s slower return to form.<\/p>\n

Fleet Sales Lead the Way<\/strong><\/p>\n

Much of the UK-wide growth was driven by fleet demand<\/strong>, which increased by 8.5%<\/strong> to 114,841 units. In contrast, private retail demand<\/strong> rose more modestly at 5.9%<\/strong>, totalling 71,616 units \u2013 just under four in 10<\/strong> new car sales. Business registrations<\/strong>, however, declined -15.8%<\/strong>, reflecting wider economic caution and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

Electric Vehicle Sales Surge \u2013 But at a Cost<\/strong><\/p>\n

Electric vehicles (EVs) continued their upward trajectory, with battery electric vehicle (BEV)<\/strong> registrations jumping by 39.1%<\/strong> to 47,354 units \u2013 making up 24.8% of the market<\/strong>. Plug-in hybrids (PHEVs)<\/strong> also performed well, up 28.8%<\/strong>, while hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)<\/strong> saw an 8.5% decline<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Combined, electrified vehicles now account for 48.5%<\/strong> of all new registrations. Petrol and diesel models, though still making up just over half the market at 51.6%<\/strong>, are in clear long-term decline.<\/p>\n

Despite the promising EV growth, SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes<\/strong> warns that the figures are being propped up by substantial manufacturer discounting<\/strong>, totalling \u00a36.5 billion over the past 18 months<\/strong>. He stressed that without greater government incentives<\/strong>, the UK may fall short of its 28% BEV mandate<\/strong> for 2025, with current share sitting at 21.6%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Industry Leaders Call for Action<\/strong><\/p>\n

A recent SMMT survey of industry leaders revealed that 55% of automotive CEOs<\/strong> believe the UK is significantly behind target<\/strong> to meet its 2030 ban on new petrol and diesel-only car sales<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Proposed solutions include:<\/p>\n