UK November 2021: BMW and Mini hatch score first ever wins, MG ZS up to #6 in market up 1.7%

The Mini Hatch ranks #1 in the UK in November.

New car sales in the UK edge up 1.7% year-on-year in November to 115,706 units, ending a streak of 4 consecutive months of decline. However keep in mind November 2020 was down -27.4% on the year prior due to the Covid-19 lockdown. In fact, November 2021 is down -31.3% on the pre-pandemic five-year average (168,356). Year-to-date, the market is now up 2.7% to 1,538,585 units. Private sales soar 41.7% year-on-year to 62,621 units and 54.1% share vs. 38.8% in November 2020 while fleet sales sink -24.7% to 51,005 and 44.1% share vs. 59.5% a year ago and business sales gain 11.2% to 2,080. Year-to-date, private sales are up 6.5% to 745,898 and 48.5% share vs. 46.7% over the same period in 2020, fleet sales edge down -0.6% to 763,243 and 49.6% share vs. 51.2% last year and business sales drop -3.7% to 29,444.

Looking at fuel type, diesel implodes -62.7% to 5,939 sales and 5.1% share vs. 14% in November 2020, petrol is down -10.4% to 50,073 and 43.3% share vs. 49.1%, Mild Hybrid Vehicles (MHEV) edge up 4.3% to 17,548 and 15.2% share vs. 14.8%, BEV is up 110% to 21,726 and 18.8% share vs. 9.1% a year ago, PHEV is up 39.7% to 10,796 and 9.3% share vs. 6.8% and HEV is up 35.4% to 9,624 and 8.3% share vs. 6.2%. Year-to-date, diesel is down -46.9% to 130,572 and 8.5% share vs. 16.4% over the same period in 2020, petrol is down -14.8% to 720,055 and 46.8% share vs. 56.4%, MHEV soars 74.3% to 280,162 and 18.2% share vs. 10.7%, BEV is up 88.9% to 163,022 and 10.6% share vs. 5.8%, PHEV is up 83.1% to 106,218 and 6.9% share vs. 3.9% and HEV is up 36% to 138,556 and 9% share vs. 6.8% a year ago.

Source: SMMT

In the brands ranking, after ending October at a record 2nd place, BMW (-7.3%) scores its first ever monthly win in the UK with 7.8% share vs. 7.2% so far this year. It topples Volkswagen (-14.5%) down to 7.5% share vs. 9% YTD while Audi (-13.6%) is up two spots on last month to #3. Mercedes (-6.3%) remains in 4th place with Vauxhall (-10.4%) in tow. Below, Toyota (+29.5%), Hyundai (+192.6%) and Kia (+72.3%) all lodge explosive growth. This means the traditional leader Ford (-50.4%) is in complete freefall to a worst-ever 9th place overall. Peugeot (+12.5%) rounds out the Top 10 in strong fashion. Below, MG (+383.1%) is up almost 5-fold on a year ago to #13, Tesla (+230.9%) is up 23 spots on October to #16 and Cupra (+1425.5%), Polestar (+289.3%), Ssangyong (+225%), Subaru (+217.3%), Bentley (+143.5%), Smart (+103%), DS (+48.6%), Dacia (+42.8%), Fiat (+36.4%), Mazda (+29.4%), Mini (+18.1%) and Citroen (+16.3%) all post solid year-on-year upticks.

We have another very volatile models ranking this month as the market fragments further and market shares lower. The Mini Hatch (+24.2%) scores its first ever win and a 3.1% share is enough to do so. In 2nd place the Vauxhall Corsa (-16%) is back up three spots on October and cements its YTD leadership. The Tesla Model 3 returns to the Top 10 at a brilliant third place, while the Hyundai Tucson is up six spots to break its ranking record at #4 (previous best #6 last August). Below the Ford Focus (-11.8%) down one rank to #5, the MG ZS breaks into the UK Top 10 for the first time at #6 with 2.1% share. The Mercedes A-Class (-28.2%) is down drastically but snaps the 2nd place YTD in the process while the VW T-Roc and Volvo XC40 also manage a Top 10 finish. Note that despite ranking #1 brand, BMW has no nameplate in the November Top 10 vs. 3 for Volkswagen. The Ford Puma (-95.1%) and Fiesta (-96%) are completely annihilated by the microchip shortage this month.

Previous month: UK October 2021: Sales off -24.6% to weakest October in 30 years, VW Polo leads, Peugeot 2008 cracks Top 10

One year ago: UK November 2020: Vauxhall Corsa reclaims lead, teases Ford Fiesta for #1 YTD in market hampered by lockdown (-27.4%)

Full November 2021 Top 42 brands and Top 10 models below.