The 2019 new car market reached a seven-year low after the third consecutive year of decline.

Private sales declined 3.2% and fleet volumes grew by 0.8% as a total of 2,311,140 vehicles entered UK roads. 

Alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) registered 20.6% growth, to reach a market share of 7.4%, with hybrids accounting for 4.2% of the market after volumes rose by 17.1%.

Electric vehicle (EV) sales rose 144% to 38,000 units but still account for just 1.6% of the market.

According to the SMMT, the UK’s new car fleet average CO2 rose for a third successive year in 2019, by 2.7% to 127.9g/km, amid rising concern among manufacturers about fines for breaching the EU’s 2020/21 95g/km CO2 emissions target.

Internal combustion engine (ICE) sales fell. Diesels dropped 19% in volumes in 2019, ending the year with a 22.7% market share, while petrol sales declined 2.6% to finish the year with a 63.3% market share.

1. MG

The brand grew its volumes by 44.5% having surpassed its 2018 sales total by the end of September. It was the fastest growing brand of 2019.

Stoneacre Motor Group's new MG Motor UK dealership in Doncaster

2. TOYOTA

Grew its volumes by 61% year-on-year in December, selling 4,726 vehicles (2018: 2,936) to finish the year 3.2% up overall with 105,192 sales (2018: 101,922). Sister brand Lexus delivered a 77.4% year-on-year December increase to finish the year up 26.7% with 15,713 sales (2018: 12,405).

3. VAUXHALL

A focus on profitable business continues to take its toll on the sales made by the PSA Groupe-owned brand. Volumes declined by 9.9% to 159,830 (2018: 177,298), with market share down from more than 10% to 6.9% in just four years.