Best-selling cars in the UK in 2024 amid frustration among car manufacturers
It’s fair to say that 2024 has not been an easy year for car manufacturers, with a torrent of government legislation to deal with and demand for electric cars fluctuating. Smt (The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) announced the figures everyone in the car industry cares about: the best-selling cars in the UK in 2024. It also revealed the total number of new car registrations last year and analyzed the figures surrounding the fuel sources Britons choose.
SUVs and crossovers still dominate sales
There’s nothing surprising at the top of the table, with affordable SUVs and crossovers such as the Ford Puma, Kia Sportage and Nissan Qashqai dominating the best-selling cars in the UK in 2024. Despite Nissan seeking a merger with Honda, the giant The Japanese has two models in the top five, while two of Volkswagen’s core vehicles, the Golf and Polo, resist a move towards larger cars.
Surprisingly, there is only one electric car in the top ten, the Tesla Model Y which was the global best-seller in 2023. Along with the Volvo The other. Models are relatively affordable.
The electricity market is growing, but this is not enough
There were 381,970 battery electric vehicles sold last year, an increase of more than a fifth from 2023. This means they had a 19.6% market share, although that is less than the 22% required by the mandate. Manufacturers have had a tough time trying to sell electric cars, offering more than £4.5bn in discounts over the course of the year. There are now 132 ZEV (Zero Emission Vehicle) models available, representing a third of all vehicles on offer.
Battery electric cars are third in popularity among private buyers, after gasoline and hybrid vehicles. However, they represent a quarter of fleet and corporate registrations, far outnumbering private registrations.
Mike Hawes, CEO of SMMT, said: “The record year for electric vehicle registrations underscores car manufacturers’ commitment to a net-zero carbon new car market, with more choice, better range and greater affordability than ever before. However, this has come at a cost.” Expensive, with billions invested in new models supplemented by unsustainably generous incentives. We need quick results from regulatory review and urgent substantive support for consumers – otherwise investments in cars, jobs, economic growth and ambitions will be at risk. The net zero we all share is at risk.
Tesla continues to dominate electric vehicle sales
It’s no surprise that the electric car giant continues to top the EV sales charts, although the Audi Q4 e-tron has prevented it from achieving a clean sweep. There is more variety in the vehicle styles chosen by EV buyers, with hatchbacks and saloons emerging alongside SUVs and crossovers inevitable. It’s been a huge year for electric vehicles, both in terms of technology and affordability, with the average range of new EVs being around 280 miles. The bestseller list also features more affordable offers than in previous years, opening up electric mobility to more buyers.
Registrations rise thanks to fleets
2024 was the second consecutive year of growth, with 1,952,778 new cars registered. This represents an increase of 2.6%. However, it is not as rosy as it seems. Fleets were entirely responsible for this growth, rising by 11.8%. They now make up 59.6% of new car registrations.
However, private sector sales fell by 8.7%, and corporate sales also declined. Key industry players have called on the government to incentivize battery electric vehicles for private buyers in the same way it does for fleets. And with the BEV mandate rising to 28% for 2025, these calls will only grow.