Commenting on the figures, Peter said: "The UK new car market fell by -1.6% in October, with 140,945 cars registered, a nine-year low for the sector. This follows the continued downward trend in new car sales.
"Positively, sales of electric cars, be they hybrid, plug in or battery powered, have risen year on year, by 143.9%, as car buyers' attraction to this mode of transport continues, possibly fuelled by shorter journey times as a result of people working from home leading to greater buy-in of this technology.
"As a new lockdown once again begins today in England forcing showroom closures, alongside on-going lockdowns in the rest of the UK, the car industry is facing challenges on two fronts: COVID and Brexit. It is hoped that click and collect may help to sustain the car industry during traditionally tough winter months, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to stop the decline from worsening next month."
"Positively, sales of electric cars, be they hybrid, plug in or battery powered, have risen year on year, by 143.9%, as car buyers' attraction to this mode of transport continues, possibly fuelled by shorter journey times as a result of people working from home leading to greater buy-in of this technology.
"As a new lockdown once again begins today in England forcing showroom closures, alongside on-going lockdowns in the rest of the UK, the car industry is facing challenges on two fronts: COVID and Brexit. It is hoped that click and collect may help to sustain the car industry during traditionally tough winter months, but it remains to be seen if it will be enough to stop the decline from worsening next month."
