UK car sales rise by 90% below normal in May: SMMT

New car sales in the UK rose in May after it had plummeted in the previous month to a record low since 1946. However, it still remained 90% below the number of sales for May in the previous year according to figures shown by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

According to preliminary data by the SMMT on Thursday, around 20,000 new registrations were recorded in April, a much higher number than the initial 4,321 in sales.  However, the figures are still just a fraction of the 183,724 new car registrations in same month last year.  

Some vehicles were delivered directly to customers in the last two months. British car showrooms had only been reopened since Monday.

Thursday’s data along with other figures reveal the sharpest decline in British economic activity in April, just days after lockdown measures were implemented.

With easing of some measures, more businesses have been able to find ways to restart operations.