LONDON, Feb. 5 (Xinhua) -- New car sales slumped for the ninth month in January as the squeeze on consumers and concerns about emissions from diesel engines hit the number of vehicles leaving showrooms, figures showed on Monday.
The total number of car sales dropped 6.3 percent to 163,615 last month, continuing the trend seen through since the spring of last year, according to the latest data from the British Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
Diesel sales were 25.6 percent lower than in January 2017, dragging overall sales down 6.3 percent, the SMMT reported, adding that demand for petrol-fuelled cars rose 8.5 percent.
Sales of "green vehicles with electric or hybrid motors increased by nearly 24 percent and accounted for 5.5 percent of the market.
The only segment of the market to see growth were sales of SUVs, or sports utility vehicles, which rose 6.6 percent, meaning that they now account for 20.2 percent of all new car registration, said the figures.
Diesels have been the focus of air quality concerns, prompting speculation that owners could face higher taxes or limits on where they can be used.
The British government has stated a long-term goal to ban the sale of new cars running solely on petrol or diesel by 2040.
In November's budget, the government announced that customers buying new diesel cars will face a one-off tax increase in April, unless the vehicles meet a higher standard on emissions.
Company car tax for diesels was also increased.
London has already introduced a higher congestion charge for higher polluting vehicles, and other UK cities, including Oxford, have discussed limiting their access to city centers.
