BMW, Hyundai, EVs shine in the UK

BMW was the UK's No. 1-selling brand in February, Hyundai rose into the market's top 10 because of a 148 percent sales gain and registrations for full-electric cars nearly tripled during the second month of 2022, according to figures from market researcher Dataforce.

The UK car market grew 15 percent to 58,994 in February compared with the same month last year, when sales were hit by the pandemic. That is still well below the pre-pandemic level of 79,594 in February 2020.

BMW took the top spot with a growth of 16 percent compared with February 2021, helped by strong demand for the new iX3 full-electric midsize SUV, X1 compact SUV and 4 Series midsize family.

It was BMW's second monthly win since November 2021, when the German brand was tops for the first time in its history, Dataforce Senior Automotive Analyst Benjamin Kibies said.

He also noted that since the UK has had five different No. 1 brands during the last six months, which is a big change from the past when Ford and Vauxhall were in a constant battle for the top spot.

Hyundai gained by capitalizing on its better supply situation -- it along with Kia and Tesla have gained share of late because they have had more consistent access to microchips -- and the market's EV boom.

Hyundai has reached an electrification share of 57 percent in the UK, with 31 percent of its sales coming from full-electric models, 6 percent plug-in hybrids and 20 percent full hybrids. Only 42 percent of the brand's February registrations were powered by a gasoline engine and 1 percent were diesel.

The UK's full-electric car registrations rose 196 percent while demand for full hybrids more than doubled (+115 percent). Many of the customers are moving away from diesels (-39 percent).

More than 60 percent of full-electric car registrations come from fleets. That is because company car drivers pay very low benefit-in-kind taxes.

Click here for full UK sales in February, 2 months.

Through February, UK sales rose 23 percent to 174,081.