Britain's new car market delivered one of its strongest September performances in years, helped by growing electric vehicle demand and the rapid expansion of Chinese brands.
New car registrations increased about 12% compared with September last year, according to preliminary industry data reported by Reuters.
That pushed the market to its highest September level since 2017.
September is traditionally an important month for British car sales because new registration plates are introduced, often encouraging buyers to time purchases around the change.
But the latest figures also highlight structural changes in the market.
Electric vehicles continue to capture a larger share of new registrations, while Chinese manufacturers are becoming increasingly visible on British roads.
Competition is intensifying as established European, Japanese and American manufacturers defend market share against newer brands offering aggressively priced electric and hybrid models.
The rebound provides welcome news for Britain's automotive sector after years of disruption caused by the pandemic, supply shortages and economic uncertainty.
The bigger question is whether September's momentum can continue through the final months of 2026.
