LONDON (ShareCast) - UK car sales fell 24.8% in May, the 13th straight decline in monthly new car sales, as the industry continues to suffer from the poor economic conditions, according to industry figures.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers
and Traders (SMMT) said new car registrations fell in May to 134,858 units against 179,272 units in the same period last year.
"While consumer confidence is improving, the UK motor industry is still facing a difficult economic climate," said SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt.
The government's car scrappage scheme came into effect on 18 May. Since the announcement in the Budget, over 35,000 orders have been reported according to the government.
"It will take some time for those orders to translate into registrations. As details of the scheme were finalised some consumers may also have been holding off purchasing a car, awaiting the best deal," said SMMT.
Over the first five months of the year, registration is down 27.9% to 289,598.
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