AFP, LONDON: New car sales in Britain fell for the first time in six years in 2017, on plummeting demand for diesel-powered vehicles and as Brexit-fuelled inflation hit spending, data showed yesterday. Total sales dropped 5.7 per cent to 2.54 million vehicles, the first annual drop since 2011 as consumers ditched diesel cars for automobiles seen as more environmentally-friendly, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said in a statement.

“The decline in the new car market is concerning but it’s important to remember demand remains at historically high levels,” said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

“Falling business and consumer confidence is undoubtedly taking a toll, however, and confusing anti-diesel messages have caused many to hesitate before buying a new low emission diesel car.”

Hawes added: “Despite the overall decline, new car registrations remain high, with the market still the second biggest in the EU, behind Germany.”

Sales of new diesel vehicles slumped 17.1 per cent last year compared with 2016 on UK government plans to improve air quality.

This was offset by a 2.7-per cent gain in new registrations for petrol cars and a 34.8 per cent surge in hybrids and electric vehicles combined.

“UK consumers buy more plug-in cars than anywhere else in Europe,” said the SMMT, which has been lobbying hard for a Brexit deal that safeguards the key UK car industry in terms of vehicles both bought and manufactured in the UK.

SMMT president Tony Walker recently said that uncertainty over Britain’s departure from the European Union was taking its toll, as he called for a transitional

deal with no time limits to help the key car industry better prepare.