July 5 Reuters British new car registrations fell 24 last month, marking the weakest June in 26 years, as the sector struggled with persistent supply shortage of components and China39;s COVID19 restrictions, industry data showed on Tuesday.

New car registrations in Britain fell to 140,958 units, according to final figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders SMMT.

Lockdowns in China aggravated the shortage of essential auto components, hampering the industry39;s ability to fulfil demand. Globally, the automobile industry has been one of the hardest hit by supplychain snags.

The semiconductor shortage is stifling the new car market even more than last year39;s lockdown, SMMT Chief Executive Officer Mike Hawes said.

China39;s economy is now showing signs of slow recovery from the supply shocks, although headwinds to growth persist.

UK39;s battery electric vehicles BEVs sector continued their growth streak with a 14.6 increase in volume, although plugin hybrid vehicle PHEV uptake fell by 4,425 units.

The slowdown in plugins was more than anticipated, leaving the market behind the industry39;s outlook, the SMMT said.

Part of this fall is attributable to the continuing supply chain shortages that are hampering production of all models, but the scrappage of the plugin car grant means the UK is now the only major European market without purchase incentives for private EV buyers, the industry body added.

Plugins account for a record one in five new car…