HomeCherished Number PlatesDiesel cars overtake petrol cars for first time Jayne Henry August 16, 2010 Cherished Number Plates, Registrations Diesel car registrations overtake petrol car registrations for first time For the First time in history diesel cars sales have over taken petrol-powered vehicles. More diesel cars were sold in Britain last month than their petrol cars the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders’ (SMMT) latest survey revealed. The survey of new car registrations showed that in July diesel cars took a record high 50.6 % of the market share after rising 11.8 % while petrol car registrations declined by 13.2 %. Diesel car sales overtake petrol Sales of alternative fuel vehicles such as hybrids claimed an all-time high of 1.4 % after a 52.6 %. The weak economy and uncertainty surrounding the Coalition Government’s austerity measures are thought to be the main factors driving down the sale of petrol cars. However Car registrations as a whole were down 13.2 % over July as wary consumers held off buying new motors, since the Government discontinued the Srcappage Scheme.
