UK new car registrations fell nearly 90% in May, marking the lowest set of data since 1952, the country's Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said June 4.

 

The year-on-year drop in registrations was equivalent to 147,000 mt of steel, based on World Steel Association data, and 64,500 lb of aluminum consumption, according to industry data and consultancy Ducker.

 

Each car uses on average 900 kg of steel and 179 kg of aluminum, according to Ducker.

 

The SMMT data showed battery powered cars took a 12% market share in May from 1.1% a year earlier. However, that statistic is largely exaggerated by the 93% drop in diesel registrations and 90.5% drop in gasoline.

 

With 11,150 gasoline vehicles registered in May, their market share was 55.1% while diesel was a modest 3,448 cars and 17% share.

 

Still, electric vehicle sales was the only category to post any growth, 21% on the year to 2,424 units.

 

"There were severe declines across all segments and fuel types, apart from battery electric vehicles, with 429 more units registered year on year in this exceptional month as pre-orders of the latest premium models were delivered to customers," the SMMT statement said.

 

Over January-May EV sales more than doubled, with total market share at 4.3%, with gasoline down 54.9% but still taking 60% of new registrations.

 

The news comes in the week that car showrooms in England were given the green light to re-open following more than two months of lost trading. In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, however, car showrooms remain closed for another week.

 

"After a second month of shutdown and the inevitable yet devastating impact on the market, this week's re-opening of dealerships is a pivotal moment for the entire industry and the thousands of people whose jobs depend on it. Customers keen to trade up into the latest, cutting-edge new cars are now able to return to showrooms and early reports suggest there is good business given the circumstances, although it is far too early to tell how demand will pan out over the coming weeks and months," SMMT CEO Mike Hawes said.

 

Source: S&P Global Platts