UK new car sales slide to second worst May in 30 years

Global supply chain crisis, including computer chip shortage, and inflation hit business

UK car sales slumped by a fifth last month compared with a year earlier as the semiconductor shortage continued to bite and the industry raised concerns over the impact of inflation on the market.

New UK car registrations fell by 20.6% year on year to 124,400 in the second weakest May since 1992, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT), a lobby group.