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New-Car Sales Gain 3% in U.K.

New-car registrations in the U.K. rose 3% to 192,600 units in May in spite of a 24% drop in sales of diesel models.

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New-car registrations in the U.K. rose 3% to 192,600 units in May in spite of a 24% drop in sales of diesel models, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders reports.

Deliveries to private buyers jumped 10% to 83,700 vehicles last month, offsetting declines in fleet and business sales. SMMT says demand for diesels plunged 24% to 81,500 units. Sales of plug-in, all-electric and other alternative-energy vehicles zoomed 36% to 11,200 units.

May’s increase follows a 10% year-on-year gain in April. SMMT says the trend suggests the British car market is returning to a “more natural running rate.”

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