January new car sales up 3.4% as market ‘builds up momentum’ – motortrader.com

Posted by: John Kirwan in Latest News Friday, 6 February 2026 0
The UK new car market grew by 3.4% in January to reach 144,127 units.
Growth was recorded across all buyer types, with registrations by private retail buyers up 4.5% and fleets increasing by 1.6%, while the low-volume business segment rose 46.5%, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Fleets were the largest source of new car registrations, accounting for 61.2% of the market.
Uptake of battery electric vehicles rose just 0.1% to 29,654 units – delivering a 20.6% market share, the lowest since April 2025.
The SMMT said the decrease follows a strong 2025 January performance when uptake was pulled forward as buyers sought to avoid April’s introduction of new tax rates on BEVs.
It added that the strong BEV performance at the end of 2025, with manufacturers pushing to meet regulatory targets, will also have affected the January market.
The largest growth was again recorded in plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), rising 47.3% to account for 12.9% of registrations. Rounding off electrified vehicle uptake, hybrid electric vehicles posted a 4.8% increase, comprising 13.4% of the market.
Mike Hawes, SMMT CEO said: “Britain’s new car market is building back momentum after a challenging start to the decade.
“It is also decarbonising more rapidly than ever and, despite a January dip in EV market share, the signs point to growth by the end of the year.
“The pace of the transition, however, may be slowing and is certainly behind mandated targets.
With sales of new pure petrol and diesel cars planned to end in less than four years, there needs to be a comprehensive review of the transition now, to ensure ambition can match reality.
Tagged with: New car registrations SMMT
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