·         New car registrations fell 21.2% in December to 108,691 units.

·         Full year total is down 11.3% to 2,131,795 units from 2,404,007 in 2007.

·         Diesel market share reached an all-time high of 43.6%.

·         Average new car CO₂ fell by a record 4.2% to an average of 158.0 g/km in 2008, a total reduction of 16.8% since 1997.

“The global economic downturn, precipitated by the crisis in the international banking and finance sector, created unprecedented challenges for the UK automotive industry in 2008,” said SMMT chief executive, Paul Everitt. “The measures taken by government to support the banking sector and kick-start demand have been necessary, but are not yet sufficient to restore confidence. Further action to ease access to finance and credit across the economy is essential if long-term damage to valuable industrial capability is to be avoided. 

“2009 will be another difficult year for the UK automotive industry with new vehicle registrations and production significantly reduced. The industry faces these challenges stronger and more resilient than in recent memory. The extraordinary circumstances we currently face mean that government support will be required to take advantage of global economic growth when it returns.”

For more, please see the attached documents.