Chinese car brands led the market in terms of growth in the plate-change March period.
Leapmotor got its UK campaign going with an 878% increase in sales to 1,891 cars compared to 193 in March 2025.
Xpeng also started motoring with sales up 819% to 331 units for the month. Jaecoo turned in a strong performance with sales up 574% to 12,034 units, followed by GWM up 224% to 94 car sales.
Jaecoo sister brand Omoda saw sales rise 184% to 5,917 units for the month and BYD saw sales up 134% to 15,162 car sales.
At the other end of the table Stellantis brands DS, Abarth and Fiat were down -71%, -52% and -43% respectively to 22, 43 and 1,167 units.
Subaru fell -39.9% to 377 units while Lotus fell -37% to 1,657 units for the month.
Genesis was down 32% to 145 units, Alfa Romeo -30.4% to 429 sales and Seat down -28.9% to 2,870 units for the month.
Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, said: “The strongest new car market since 2019, with the highest ever volume of EV registrations, is a boost to the industry and the economy.
“However, the headlines belie the costs incurred and the challenges involved. Much of March’s performance will be from orders placed before the start of the Iran conflict, which threatens to raise the cost of living, undermining consumer confidence.
“Against this backdrop, and with the EV market falling further away from mandated levels despite record levels of incentives, an urgent review of the transition is required to secure a sustainable market, economic growth and the UK’s net zero ambitions.”
| MARQUE | % Change |
| Alpine | 1,723.08 |
| Leapmotor | 879.79 |
| Xpeng | 819.44 |
| Jaecoo | 573.80 |
| Gwm | 224.14 |
| Omoda | 184.20 |
| Citroen | 144.00 |
| Byd | 133.98 |
| Suzuki | 67.05 |
| Mini | 31.63 |
| Tesla | 20.03 |
| Smart | 17.14 |
| Cupra | 16.76 |
| Ineos | 10.00 |
| Jeep | 8.88 |
| Grand Total | 6.59 |
| Volvo | 4.32 |
| Skoda | 3.89 |
| Renault | 3.33 |
| Audi | 2.71 |
| Other British | 1.56 |
| Hyundai | 1.41 |
| Kia | 0.72 |
| Changan | 0.00 |
| Chery | 0.00 |
| Fisker | 0.00 |
| Geely | 0.00 |
| Mg | -0.98 |
| Polestar | -1.15 |
| Vauxhall | -1.77 |
| Bmw | -1.78 |
| Lexus | -2.55 |
| Land Rover | -3.00 |
| Mercedes | -3.92 |
| Honda | -4.38 |
| Maserati | -6.15 |
| Nissan | -6.30 |
| Mazda | -6.95 |
| Toyota | -7.62 |
| Peugeot | -8.95 |
| Chevrolet | -10.00 |
| Dacia | -11.30 |
| Kgm | -11.72 |
| Volkswagen | -13.34 |
| Skywell | -16.67 |
| Ford | -18.85 |
| Porsche | -21.80 |
| Seat | -28.93 |
| Alfa Romeo | -30.36 |
| Genesis | -32.24 |
| Lotus | -36.95 |
| Subaru | -39.87 |
| Fiat | -43.07 |
| Abarth | -51.69 |
| Other Imports | -52.28 |
| Ds | -70.67 |
| Jaguar | -100.00 |
| Maxus | -100.00 |
