UK new car sales sees smaller slump for June on annual basis

New car registrations in the United Kingdom slipped by a third on an annual basis in June after several dealerships resumed operations amid loosening lockdown measures, preliminary data from an industry body. The drop is seen as relatively smaller compared to that in March, April, and May.

According to the Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), around 145,000 units were sold in June.

Demand for automobiles had plunged by 44% in March, 97% in April, and 89% in May.

The SMMT said that year-to-date, the market was almost 50% behind where it was at the same time in 2019.

Some U.K. car showrooms reopened on June 1, while dealers in Wales and Scotland were only permitted to resume in June 22 and June 29 respectively.

However, some British car manufacturers remained closed, with others operating at minimal capacity in a bid to balance out supply and demand.

The SMMT will release final sales figures for June later in the day.