LONDON (Reuters) - British new car registrations fell
to their lowest October level since 1991 after a 25%
year-on-year drop as a lack of semi-conductor chips continued to
hit the sector, according to industry figures released on
Thursday.
Full-year sales are expected to stand at 1.66 million
vehicles, only 1.9% higher than 2020, when COVID-19 lockdowns
and restrictions were in place, the Society of Motor
Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
A total of 106,265 vehicles were registered last month.
The worldwide chip shortage has forced many brands to cut
production and increased the waiting times for some buyers as
carmakers grapple with the fallout from the pandemic.
“The current performance reflects the challenging supply
constraints, with the industry battling against semiconductor
shortages and increasingly strong economic headwinds as
inflation rises, taxes increase and consumer confidence has
weakened,” said SMMT Chief Executive Mike Hawes.