U.K. sales in May boosted by demand for gasoline cars

Britain's new-car sales grew 17 percent in May, boosted by gasoline-powered cars and large fleet vehicles, despite the growth lagging 21 percent below pre-pandemic levels, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), said in a statement.

The SMMT said new-car sales rose to 145,204 units last month, the 10th consecutive month of growth.

"After the difficult, COVID-constrained supply issues of the last few years, it’s good to see the new car market maintain its upward trend," SMMT CEO Mike Hawes said in the statement.

"The fact that growth is, increasingly, green growth is hugely encouraging."

UK sales of battery-electric vehicles grew 59 percent, resulting in a 16.9 percent share of the market in May. Demand for gasoline vehicles rose 5.3 percent to give the powertrain a market-leading 41.2 percent share. Diesel sales dropped 24 percent for a 4.0 percent share.

The country also announced in May it plans to invest 1 billion pounds ($1.24 billion) in its semiconductor sector over the next decade as part of a long-awaited strategy.

Large fleet registrations were up by 37 percent last month, the SMMT said, reflecting a regularization of supply following challenges last year.

Ford's Puma was the best-selling model in May, followed by the Nissan Qashqai and the Vauxhall Mokka, the data showed.