UK new car registrations recorded a slight rise in 2021 but were still well behind pre-Covid-pandemic levels as semi-conductor shortages continued to hinder sales, according to figures released on Thursday.
Around 1.65 million new cars were registered last year, up 1% from 2020 but 28.7% fewer than in 2019, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
December sales were 18.2% lower year on year, with 108,596 new cars registered.
“It’s been another desperately disappointing year for the car industry as Covid continues to cast a pall over any recovery. Manufacturers continue to battle myriad challenges … above all, the global semiconductor shortage which is decimating supply,” SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said.
However, the shift towards electric vehicles continued, with 190,000 battery electric vehicles registered in 2021, more than in the previous five years combined.
With 115,000 plug-in hybrid vehicles registered, these accounted for 18.5% of new car registrations in 2021.
Britain plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars from 2030, although some hybrid vehicles will be on sale until 2035.
Electric car manufacturer Tesla’s Model 3 was Britain’s second best-selling new car last year, with 34,783 units sold. It was beaten only by the Corsa supermini from Vauxhall, now owned by Stellantis.
