UK April 2025: Peugeot (+37.9%), BYD (+654.1%) stand out in market down -10.4%

The Peugeot 2008 is up to #8 overall in the UK in April.

New car sales in the UK skid -10.4% year-on-year in April to just 120,331 units, the 6th fall in the past 7 months. Yet thanks to a strong March result the YTD tally is in positive at +3.1% to 700,833. BEVs grow 8.1% year-on-year to 24,558 units and 20.4% share vs. 16.9% in April 2024, PHEVs are up 34.1% to 14,073 and 11.7% share vs. 7.8% and HEVs drop -2.9% to 16,586 and 13.8% share vs. 12.7%. Petrol sinks -22% to 58,733 and 48.8% share vs. 56.1% and diesel falls -26.2% to 6,381 and 5.3% share vs. 6.4%. Year-to-date, BEVs surge 35.2% to 144,749 and 20.7% share vs. 15.7% over the same period in 2024, PHEVs are up 27.7% to 67,759 and 9.7% share vs. 7.8% and HEVs grow 14.6% to 102,591 and 14.6% share  vs. 13.2%. Meanwhile petrol sales drop -10% to 345,520 and 49.3% share vs. 56.5% and diesel is off -13.2% to 40,214 and 5.7% share vs. 6.8%.

All channels are in negative this month. Private sales drop 7.9% to 46,490 and 38.6% share vs. 37.6% a year ago, fleet sales fall -11.9% to 71,520 and 59.4% share vs. 60.5% and business sales dip -10.9% to 2,321 and 1.9% share, unchanged. So far this year, private sales lead the way at +6.3% to 274,076 and 39.1% share vs. 37.9% over the same period in 2024, while fleet sales edge up 1.2% to 412,676 and 58.9% share vs. 60% and business sales drop -1.9% to 14,081 and 2% share vs. 2.1%.

Brand-wise, Volkswagen (-21%) freefalls but easily keeps the top spot with 8.7% share. Kia (+3.4%) is the only gainer in the Top 6, up two spots on last month to #2 and 6.9% of the market. BMW (-11.7%) repeats at #3 and ranks #2 year-to-date. It is followed by Audi (-21.8%), Ford (-14.1%) and Hyundai (-1.4%). Peugeot (+37.9%) delivers the most dynamic uptick in the Top 15 and is up three spots on March to #7. BYD (+654.1%) is up to a record 18th place (above Cupra, Dacia, Seat and Mazda), passing the 2% share milestone for the first time at 2.1%. Among recent launches, Jaecoo is up 8 ranks on last month to #25, Omoda up two to #29 and Leapmotor up 5 to #35.

The Kia Sportage (+60.3%) surges ahead to reclaim the models pole position with 2.9% share. This is the nameplate’s 7th win in the past 12 months but it remains below the Ford Puma (-23.7%) in the YTD charts. The Vauxhall Corsa continues to evolve way higher than a year ago, repeating at #3 and ranking #4 so far this year vs. #12 over the Full Year 2024. The Nissan Qashqai (-11.9%) ranks #4 again above the Audi A3 (-29.8%) back inside the Top 5 for the first time since May 2024 (#3). The Volvo XC40 (-2.9%) is up to #6, and cracks the YTD Top 10 at #9. The Peugeot 2008 delivers a second Top 10 finish of 2025 at #8, with the Hyundai Tucson and Mini Cooper also back into the Top 10.

Previous month: UK March 2025: BEVs (+43.2%), VW (+42.5%) and Ford (+38.8%) lift market up 12.4%

One year ago: UK April 2024: VW Polo surge stop #2, Audi A3 breaks ranking record

Full April 2025 Top 50 All brands and Top 10 models below.