Yahoo Finance Best-selling cars: the UK’s most popular models in March
UK drivers are shifting to electric vehicles (EVs) when it’s time to buy a new car, as the best-selling car in March revealed to be the Tesla model Y.
Over eight thousand (8,123) Tesla model Y hit the UK roads in March, making it the best-selling car in the country that month, according to the figures from the Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The latest Tesla Model Y is an all-electric compact SUV capable of running for 330 miles on a single battery charge. Prices in the UK start at £44,000.
Coming in at second place we have the Nissan Juke, with 7,532 units sold last month. This Nissan model – which is actually the best-selling car in the UK in the combined first three months of the year – is a small hybrid SUV.
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Number three shows another Nissan, this time the Nissan Qashqai which is yet another small SUV with a hybrid engine.
Designed, engineered and built in Britain, the Qashqai was voted the UK’s most reliable car after a survey of 50,000 UK consumers.
The Kia Sportage sold 5,888 units in March, enough to secure the fourth spot, ahead of the Hyundai Tucson, which sold 5,680.
Ford Puma comes in at number six and the Vauxhall Corsa at number seven, after selling 5,652 and 5,588 units respectively.
The MINI, Toyota Yaris Cross and the Ford Fiesta complete the top ten best-selling cars in the UK last month.
SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes said: “March’s new plate month usually sets the tone for the year so this performance will give the industry and consumers greater confidence.
“With eight consecutive months of growth, the automotive industry is recovering, bucking wider trends and supporting economic growth.
“The best month ever for zero emission vehicles is reflective of increased consumer choice and improved availability, but, if EV market ambitions and regulation are to be met, infrastructure investment must catch up.”
March was the largest month on record for registrations of pure battery electric new cars, with 46,626 deliveries.
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Overall, some 287,825 new cars were registered last month, up 18.2% on March 2022.
The increase was attributed to an easing of global supply chain shortages.
Large fleets, which include vehicles owned by organisations such as government agencies and rental companies, drove the uptake of new cars with a 40.9% rise. Deliveries to private buyers were up just 1.4%.
March is viewed as a bellwether of the automotive industry’s performance as new number plates are introduced, traditionally leading to an increase in demand.
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