UK car sales reach post-Covid high for May as Chinese EV makers gain ground
10 reported
British car sales in May rose to their strongest level for that month since before the Covid pandemic, driven partly by strong growth from Chinese manufacturers BYD and Chery, according to a single-source report from The Guardian. Car registrations increased by 7% to 160,662 during the month, based on figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Sales of battery electric cars rose the fastest, accounting for more than 27% of the market. Chery sold 11,100 cars in May across its Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda brands, while BYD sold 5,200. Over the first five months of the year, BYD’s sales doubled and Chery’s increased fivefold. The SMMT said private buyers were responsible for the strongest May increase in sales since 2019. The strong growth in electric sales makes it likely that carmakers will comply with the zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandatory sales targets, though the SMMT and its manufacturer members are lobbying the UK government to further weaken those targets.
What’s reported
UK car registrations rose 7% to 160,662 in May, the strongest May since before the Covid pandemic.
Battery electric cars accounted for more than 27% of the market.
Chery sold 11,100 cars in May across its Chery, Jaecoo and Omoda brands.
BYD sold 5,200 cars in May; over the first five months of the year, BYD’s sales doubled and Chery’s increased fivefold.
MG, owned by China’s state-owned SAIC, saw sales grow 13% to nearly 7,500.
Leapmotor and Geely sold 900 and 1,100 vehicles respectively, up from barely any a year earlier.
Tesla recorded a 45% sales increase in May, though year-to-date sales are up only 3%.
The SMMT said private buyers drove the strongest May increase since 2019.
New AutoMotive estimates the true ZEV target is about 24.6% due to flexibilities, below the 33% headline proportion.
The SMMT and its manufacturer members are lobbying the UK government to further weaken the ZEV targets.
Key figures
Mike Hawes, chief executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT)
Sue Robinson, chief executive of National Franchised Dealers Association
Ben Nelmes, chief executive of New AutoMotive
Elon Musk, head of Tesla
Sources: The Guardian
