UK Car Market: January & Broader Trends
Overall UK new car sales in January 2026
As of now there isn’t a Reuters-published January 2026 total car sales figure available yet — industry bodies like the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) usually release that in early February. However, broader data suggests:
The UK new car market grew overall in 2025, topping 2 million registrations for the first time since before the pandemic, with electrified vehicles gaining share.
SMMT
December 2025 saw strong EV uptake, with all-electric cars taking a significant share of the market — part of a growth trend into early 2026.
thetimes.com
That said, spectator and industry sources from earlier years showed occasional monthly declines in UK registrations in January when economic outlays were weak — for example a 2.5% drop in January 2025 — often tied to broader economic sentiment.
Key dynamics impacting UK sales
Economic and cost pressures have weighed on consumer demand for new vehicles.
EV discounting and incentives have helped boost uptake, but broader affordability concerns persist.
SMMT
Chinese brands such as BYD, MG, and now Chery are rapidly scaling their UK market share, contributing to overall growth while intensifying competition.
Reuters
