Dec 5 Reuters British new car registrations jumped nearly 24 in November from a year earlier to record their fourth straight month of gains, driven by sales of large fleets and a pickup in demand from private buyers, an industry body said on Monday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders SMMT said registrations in November stood at 142,889 units, nearly 9 below prepandemic levels.

While further recovery is anticipated in 2023, global and domestic economic challenges mean that the market will remain below prepandemic levels, it said.

Britain39;s auto market, still reeling from the impact of chip shortages plaguing the industry, has been hit by the cost of living crisis, which has seen consumers limit bigticket purchases.

The sales of environment friendly electric vehicles EVs continued to strengthen, with registrations of battery EVs rising 35.2 and accounting for more than one in five new cars in November.

Registrations by large fleets jumped 45.4 yearonyear, while demand from private buyers grew 2.7.

SMMT Chief Executive Officer Mike Hawes called for urgent measures including more investment in electric charging infrastructure to rev up appetite for EVs.

Reporting by Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Anil D39;Silva

Source Reuters