U.K. new car registrations climbed to record high levels in the first six months of the year, despite cooling in the second quarter with a slump in June, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
New car sales grew 3.2 percent year-on-year in the first six months of the year to 1,420,636 units, the best half-year performance ever, the SMMT said.
Diesel car registrations climbed 2.3 percent, while petrol car sales grew 3 percent. Sales of cars running on alternate fuels jumped 21.3 percent, accounting for 3.2 percent of total sales.
In June, new car registrations declined 0.8 percent year-on-year, suggesting that market growth is set to stabilize after a record 2015.
In the June 23 referendum, 52 percent of Britons voted to leave the EU in a historic and surprise move.
“It is far too soon to determine whether the referendum result has had an impact on the new car market,” SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes said.
“The first six months saw strong demand at record levels but the market undoubtedly cooled over the second quarter.”
Hawes urged the government to take every measure to restore business and economic confidence to avoid the market contracting in the coming months.
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