Slowdown in new car sales suggests UK economy may be losing a key driver

When 10%-plus is the norm, 2.4% year-on-year growth is like hitting the wall for an industry that has been one of the main props of Britain's recovery

The growth in new car sales in the UK slowed to 2.4% year-on-year in May, according to industry figures. This would seem like a respectable figure if it was not for the double-digit growth that has characterised the last couple of years.

Car sales have boomed during the recovery. Like smartphone purchases and hotel bookings, the improving figures for the manufacture and sales of cars have been one of the main props of Britain's post-crash boom.