Land Rover bucks decline in UK car sales
The UK new car market fell for a fourth consecutive month in June.
It was down 4.9 per cent on the same month in 2018 with 223,421 cars registered, according to figures from The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
Land Rover bucked the trend with a 7.8 per cent rise in sales of its models to 6,495, but the Jaguar arm of Jaguar land Rover was down 0.7 per cent to 3,938.
Longbridge-based MG also saw a rise of 23.7 per cent to 1,078 for the month.
Demand for new alternatively-fuelled cars was down for the first time in more than two years.
Some 13,314 of the cars were registered in the UK last month, down 11.8 per cent on the 15,099 registered during June 2018.
The SMMT said the decline was driven by a reduction in sales of hybrid cars.
It is the first time the alternatively fuelled car sector has seen negative growth since April 2017.
Government grants for new low-emission cars were slashed in October last year, meaning hybrid models are no longer eligible for the scheme.
The Government announced a plan last summer to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel cars and vans by 2040.
Diesel models were down 20.5 per cent, while petrol saw a three per cent rise.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: "Another month of decline is worrying but the fact that sales of alternatively-fuelled cars are going into reverse is a grave concern.
"Manufacturers have invested billions to bring these vehicles to market but their efforts are now being undermined by confusing policies and the premature removal of purchase incentives.
"If we are to see widespread uptake of these vehicles, which are an essential part of a smooth transition to zero-emission transport, we need world-class, long-term incentives and substantial investment in infrastructure.
"Fleet renewal remains the quickest way to address environmental concerns today and consumers should have the confidence and support to choose the new car that best meets their driving needs, whatever the technology, secure in the knowledge that it is safer and cleaner than ever before."
Ford topped the sales charts for June, but was down 1.2 per cent at 22,049. Volkswagen was in second place at 20,474 - down 11.5 per cent and BMW third at 19,985 - a fall of 13 per cent.
Top selling car model was the Ford Fiesta (7,507), followed by the Vauxall Corsa (5,614) and Mini (5,535).
For the first six months of the year Jaguar sales are up 8.7 per cent at 19,748, Land Rover up 1.5 per cent at 42,092 and MG ahead 46.6 per cent at 6,286.
