Following the release of data today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), showing that the UK new car market was up 26.4% in October;

David Leggett, Automotive Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“The year-on-year gain recorded in October is welcome of course, but the comparison is with a very low base.

“Major demand headwinds are building for households and businesses and the latest assessments of UK economic growth prospects are bleak.

“GlobalData forecasts that the UK car market this year will struggle to reach 1.6 million, with just 1.7 million new car sales projected for 2023.

“A that level, 2023’s UK new car market would still be around a quarter down on 2019’s 2.3 million sales.

“I’m afraid a weak recovery for the sector is in prospect with very tough trading conditions in prospect for at least the next 18 months.”