UK car sales plummet by 40% amid coronavirus pandemic

Car sales in the United Kingdom saw an annual decline of 40% for March, according to preliminary data released on Monday from the Society for Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The drop in sales comes as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to disrupt the economy and force potential buyers to remain indoors.

Sales added to only 250,000 units, marking it as the weakest for the month. March is otherwise seen as a typically high-selling month of the year since the introduction of bi-annual plate changes in 1999. Last year, March had accounted for almost 20% of total new registrations.

Car sales have been in steady decline since its a record high in 2016.

The SMMT predicted a 2.5% drop in demand to 2.25 million cars, according to data released in January. Its full data for March is expected to be published at 0800 GMT.