New UK automobile registrations fell 4.4% in September from a 12 months earlier, in response to the motor trade.

That made it the worst September this century in what is generally the trade’s second most necessary month.

There have been simply 328,041 new registrations within the month, mentioned the Society of Motor Producers and Merchants (SMMT).

The automobile sector has been hit laborious by the coronavirus pandemic, which closed factories and showrooms.

September is generally second to March because the trade’s most necessary gross sales month, as a result of licence plate modifications usually immediate a spike in demand.

However the SMMT mentioned final month noticed the bottom quantity in new vehicles for the reason that present licence plate system started in 1999.

“Throughout a torrid 12 months, the automotive trade has demonstrated unbelievable resilience, however this isn’t a restoration,” mentioned SMMT chief govt Mike Hawes.

“Except the pandemic is managed and economy-wide shopper and enterprise confidence rebuilt, the short-term future appears to be like very difficult certainly.”