UK new-car sales fell 1.6 percent in January, the fifth consecutive monthly drop in registrations, as Brexit uncertainty and a diesel backlash hit demand.
Diesel sales fell 20 percent for a market share of 29.1 percent, while gasoline registrations dropped 7.3 percent for a 64.1 percent share, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said on Tuesday.
The top five best-selling brands had mixed results, while some smaller brands including Volvo, Seat and Dacia had a good month..
No. 1 Ford's registrations fell 15 percent, while No. 2 VW brand saw sales rise 5.1 percent. Third-placed Vauxhall's volume dropped 3.2 percent. Sales at Mercedes-Benz, the No. 4, rose 3 percent. BMW, No. 5, gained 6.1 percent.
Volvo's registrations soared 80 percent while Seat sales increased 31 percent and Dacia registrations rose 17 percent.
Big losers last month included Porsche, whose registrations plunged 42 percent, and Audi, whose sales fell 27 percent.
• Download file here for January UK sales by brand
