The UK’s new car sales market increased 9.5% year on year in November, with the number of cars leaving showrooms almost matching pre-pandemic figures.
According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 156,525 new cars were registered last month.
That was the market’s best November performance for four years, standing at just 96 units (0.1%) below November 2019.
Fleet sales provided the largest growth boost, forming 59.4% of the month’s total sales. With 93,049 sales achieved, the fleet market grew by 25.4% year on year.
Private registrations, meanwhile, dropped 5.9% year on year to 60,506.
Overall, the UK car market remains up by 18.6%, at 1.762 million.
Electrified vehicles sold well in November, with hybrid sales increasing 27.8% to 222,655 and plug-in hybrid sales leaping by 55.8% to 129,149. Electric cars dropped in popularity month on month but are up 27.5% year on year.
“Britain’s new car market continues to recover, fuelled by fleets investing in the latest and greenest new vehicles,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.
“With car makers gearing up to meet their responsibilities under new market legislation and COP28 currently under way, now is the time to take sensible steps that will multiply that economic growth and minimise carbon emissions.
"Private EV buyers need incentives in line with those that have successfully driven business uptake – and workable trade rules that promote rather than penalise the transition.”
What’s selling best?
So: what's hot and what's not? The new car registration data from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reveals all, so we've been studying the most recent figures to find out which are the best-selling cars in the UK.
The latest figures show the most popular cars for the year to date in 2023, with some retaining a market stronghold against the odds while others fight their way onto the best-sellers list for the first time.
The top place is currently occupied by a crossover: the Ford Puma. But will the Ford do enough over the rest of 2023 to hold off the likes of the Vauxhall Corsa, Tesla Model Y and Qashqai?
Read on to see the best-selling cars in the UK so far, and how many units they have sold.
Best-selling cars in the UK of 2023 so far
1 Ford Puma – 46,434 units
The Puma is the UK’s best-selling car, as well as Ford’s best-seller on our shores (eclipsing the Transit and Transit Custom sales). The small crossover possesses impressive driving dynamics and attractive pricing, and the model range is topped by a fun-filled ST version. It may not be the Fiesta we all know and love, but it’s a good, capable alternative nonetheless.
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4 Tesla Model Y – 24,148 units - isn't it 29,148?
On the subject of volume sales, it seems like every test and feature in Autocar this week concerns a vehicle no one is going to buy. I'm all for diversity, but surely this publication needs to focus a bit more on what's happening in the mainstream. Peronally I'd rather read about a new supermini or affordable EV, rather than million dollar prototypes that may never get built. But if we must have features about cars you can't buy, why not more coverage to Japanese Kei cars or contemporary kit cars?
That said the current UK top 10 is a pretty uninspiring collection...
UK year to date top 10. Puma, Corsa, Qashqai, Juke, Tucson, Sportage, Model Y, Fiesta, Mini and T-Roc
So 3 hatchbacks ( surely no mini can be counted as an SUV? ) and 7 SUVs. There's only two cars there you could describe as budget - the Fiesta and Corsa. Tucson, Sportage, Model Y? You're talking mid £35k upwards.
European year to date top 10. Sandero, T-Roc, Corsa, Clio, 208, Fiat 500, Yaris Cross, Golf, Duster, Octavia.
7 hatchbacks and 3 SUV. And look at the cars - Sandero, Duster, Corsa, Clio, 500 could be described as budget, with the Golf probably the most expensive.
To me that just sums up the UK.
7 SUV's, define an SUV.
Regarding budget I'd say it's a fair mix and it always has been. Mini starts from 22.5k, Juke from 21k, Corsa from 19k etc