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The UK’s new car market grew 11.7% in July with 156,571 units registered, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). Although compared with a relatively weak July last year, the performance marks an eighth consecutive month of growth.
Demand grew across all sectors, with private buyer uptake rising 12.6%, fleet deliveries up 9.5% and the lower-volume business segment up 61.3%.
Growth was driven by electrified vehicle uptake, with plug-in hybrids up 33.6% to take a 14.9% share of the market, and hybrids up 11.6% to account for 13.2%. Battery electric cars (BEVs) achieved another record volume for the month, up 44.5% to claim a 27.5% share.
New light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations rose 22% in July to 28,578 units, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth, as year to date registrations reached 187,226 units, up 4.3% on the first seven months of 2025.
Large and medium-sized vans both recorded strong growth, up 29.9% to 20,842 units and 20.7% to 4,993 units respectively. Demand for 4x4s also rose, by 66.1% to 1,030 registrations, while the small van segment grew 11.8% to 825. Pickups declined for a 10th consecutive month, down -53.2% to 888 units and accounting for just 3.1% of the market.
Battery electric van registrations rose 74.1% in the month – the best since August 2025 – to take a market share of 14.7%.
