SMMT car sales figures highlight winners and losers in 2023

Last year saw sales of Tesla cars decline 9.3% to 49,571 units in an overall market up 17.9% despite a series of price cuts during the year to stimulate sales.

The brand’s market share fell to 2.6% for the year compared to 3.4% in 2022.

Some Stellantis brands continue to struggle with Abarth down 42.6% to 886 units, DS down 34.6% to 2,403 and Fiat down 15.7% to 16,598 (See full table below.)

At the other end of the scale Cupra saw its registrations rise by 78.4% for the year to 25,658 units while Subaru sales were up 73.2% to 2,409.

Other brands to show high double digit growth included Polestar, up 70.8% to 12,543 units, MG up 59.2% to 81,289, Suzuki, up 52.9% to 26,574 units and Lexus up 49.5% to 15,963.

Mercedes-Benz, which moved to an agency model at the beginning of 2023 saw sales up 8.5% to 87,782 units in a market up 17.9%. Its sister brand smart fell 37.5% to 785 units.

New Car Sales 2023 % Change YOY