UK new car sales surged by 11.4% year-on-year to 213,166 units in June 2026, the best performance for the month since 2019, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Growth was broad-based across all customer segments.
Registrations by private buyers increased by 12.5%, fleet deliveries rose 10.5%, and the smaller business segment recorded the strongest gain at 17.1%.
Fleet customers remained the dominant source of demand, representing 59.5% of all new car registrations.
The ongoing shift toward electrification continued to support the market, underpinned by manufacturers' investment in a broader portfolio of low- and zero-emission models and the expansion of brands operating in the UK. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) gained further momentum, increasing their market share to 30.0%, the highest so far this year, reflecting seasonal quarter-end volumes and stronger demand amid higher fuel prices.
PHEVs took 12.5% of the market, while HEVs accounted for 14.0%.