Brexit, diesel concerns impact UK car market

London – The UK car market hit a six-year low as sales declined by 3.4% to 458,054 in March, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show.

The decline in what is usually a strong month for new registrations, was largely due to concerns over Brexit, said Mike Hawes, CEO of the SMMT.

"March is a key barometer for the new-car market, so this fall is of clear concern," according to the industry body leader.

"We urgently need an end to the political and economic uncertainty by removing permanently the threat of a no-deal Brexit," he added.

But worries over diesel also took a toll, with sales of these vehicles down 21%, to represent 26.3% of the market share.

This compared to a 5.1% hike in demand for petrol-engine vehicles which represented 68.1% of sales in March.

Sales of electrified vehicles and those powered by alternative fuels rose 7.6%, to take a 5.5% share of the market, the SMMT also noted.