Car Sales in U.K. Slide 6%

New-car registrations in the U.K. fell 6% to 163,600 units last month, continuing a downward trend that began last April, says the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.

SMMT notes that demand shrank across all sectors. Sales to individuals fell 10% to 69,400 units. Fleet sales slipped 2% to 89,500 vehicles, and deliveries to business plummeted 30% to 4,700 units.

The only bright spot in January was a 7% uptick in sales of SUV/crossover vehicles. SMMT says SUVs accounted for one-fifth of all new-car registrations for the month.

Demand fell sharply for mini-cars, MPVs and executive sedans. Deliveries of diesel-powered vehicles plunged 26% to 58,700 units, prompting SMMT to call for a government program to replace older, high-polluting diesel vehicles with new models.