UK New Car Registrations Rise 3.4% in January as Market Starts 2026 Strongly The UK new car market began 2026 on a positive note, with registrations rising 3.4% year on year to 144,127 units in January, according to the latest SMMT figures. Private buyer demand increased by 4.5%, while fleet registrations were up 1.6%. Electrified vehicles continued to gain ground, with battery electric cars taking a 20.6% share of the market. Plug-in hybrids rose 12.9% and conventional hybrids jumped 47.3%. Petrol and diesel volumes declined, reflecting the ongoing shift away from internal combustion engines. Sue Robinson, Chief Executive of the NFDA, said the strong start bodes well for the year ahead but stressed the importance of recognising wider industry factors such as production disruption at JLR. She added that 2026 will be a key year for policy clarity, consumer confidence and accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles.