British car sales drop for second year in a row

According to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), 2.36 million new cars were marked down in 2018 by seven per cent on the previous year.

Car sales have fallen for the second year in a row, with diesel cars plummeting by 30 per cent as customers are worried about their future restrictions.

Sadly, because diesel cars produce less CO2 than an average petrol car, this drop has supposedly contributed to a three per cent rise in the average emissions produced by cars in 2018.

Far bigger cars were bought last year, particularly SUVs, which also contributed to the rise. Diesel cars produce higher levels of microscopic bits left behind, including soot in the combustion process.

But SMMT’s chief executive, Mike Hawes believes the customer has been put off entirely when faced with buying a new car.

He said: “What we have been seeing over the last couple of years is a decline in business and consumer confidence, especially the confidence to buy big ticket items like a new car.”

The SMMT blamed 2018’s fall in cars sales on Brexit uncertainty, as well as a shortage in supply of some vehicles because of emission testing schemes.