The UK’s Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has lowered its outlook for car sales in 2021 to 1.9 million units from more than two million units earlier, due to an extended lockdown until March 2021.
As a result of showrooms being shut due to the COVID-19 pandemic, new car sales fell to 90,429 units in January, the lowest in the UK since 1970, SMMT noted. Sales fell by 39.5pc over 149,279 units sold last January.
SMMT also noted that March is one of the most important months for new car sales in the UK, accounting for almost one in every five cars sold throughout the year. It noted that the opening up of dealerships as soon as it is safe to do so is necessary for the survival and recovery of the industry.