Ford Puma The Top Cat Again for UK Car Sales

Ford Puma is again the best-selling car in the UK, as it was in 2023, according to official figures. Meantime, despite the ZEV mandate, only 10 per cent of private buyers chose an EV last year. Total private new car sales fell to lower levels than those seen during the 2020 pandemic.

Not only was the Puma the country’s best seller but the SUV/crossover segment topped the charts for the first time, according to official sales data.

There were 48,340 Pumas registered, the Ford edging Kia Sportage into second place (47,163 sold). 

Qashqai, the 2022 best seller, slipped to third place, but still with more than 42,000 registered. Another Nissan, Juke, took fourth spot with over 34,000 retailed. Rounding out the top five was the UK’s best-selling EV, the Tesla Model Y,with almost 33,000 sold. This is about to be facelifted with new front and rear ends, and similar interior changes to the Model 3.

The overall market grew by almost 3.0 per cent compared with 2023 (1.95m vehicles sold). EVs accounted for almost 20 per cent overall, twice as many as private buyers chose. Overall, private new car sales were down by almost nine per cent. In total, 1.16m new cars (six in every 10) went to fleets. 

Petrol remains the preferred motive choice among Brits, accounting for over half of new cars sold. EVs were next, followed by full hybrids at 13.4 per cent and plug-in hybrids at 8.6 per cent. Diesels now comprise just 6.3 per cent of new sales, down from heady days of 2010 when they had just over 50 per cent market share.

A greater selection of new electric cars and ongoing discounts explained the overall sales success of EVs. Despite that, EV sales fell short of the 22 per cent target set by the Government as part of its ZEV Mandate. The target rises to 28 per cent this year, but it is thought that EV sales will only comprise 25 per cent of the total in 2025. Without incentives that target looks increasingly difficult.

The Government is looking into the ZEV Mandate, but no change is likely in the short term so there will be ongoing pressure on manufacturers throughout the year to sell more EVs. New models will help but are unlikely to close the gap enough to meet the target.

Mike Hawes from SSMT (Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) said even those car makers who comply with the mandate this year felt they need a review because the cost of compliance is unsustainable.

Britain’s top-selling cars for 2024 

Ford Puma – 48,340

Kia Sportage – 47,163

Nissan Qashqai – 42,418

Nissan Juke – 34,454

Tesla Model Y – 32,862

Volkswagen Golf – 32,370

Hyundai Tucson – 32,174

MG HS – 30,207

Volvo XC40 – 30,202

Volkswagen Polo – 28,981