Nissan Qashqai Hybrid Electric Car Leads UK Car Sales in March
The Nissan Qashqai hybrid electric car has taken the UK by storm, becoming the best-selling car in March and the second best-selling car in the country so far this year. With 8,931 registrations in March and a total of 14,555 sales year-to-date, the Qashqai has proven to be a popular choice among UK car buyers.
In a market that saw a 10.4% increase in new car sales in March, the Nissan Qashqai stood out as the top performer. The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) reported that a total of 317,786 new cars were registered last month, marking the best March performance since 2019. Despite this growth, the total number of registrations is still 30.6% below pre-pandemic levels.
Following closely behind the Qashqai in March sales was the Ford Puma, with 8,318 cars hitting the roads. However, the Puma has taken the lead as the best-selling car in the UK this year, with 15,054 units sold. The Kia Sportage, Nissan Juke, and Audi A3 rounded out the top five best-selling cars in March.
While petrol cars retained the majority share of the market at 55.7%, pure electric vehicles accounted for 15.2% of new car registrations in March. The industry is seeing a shift towards electric vehicles, with plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) also gaining popularity as a transitional option for consumers.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, manufacturers are providing compelling offers to encourage consumers to make the switch to electric vehicles. Government support, such as incentives for zero-emission vehicles, is crucial to driving a faster and fairer transition to sustainable transportation.
The success of the Nissan Qashqai and other electric and hybrid models in the UK market highlights the growing demand for environmentally friendly vehicles. With ongoing advancements in technology and infrastructure, the future of electric mobility looks promising.