Auto Dealer reviews surge in curiosity as March new automotive gross sales peak approaches

The brand new automotive market is ready for a powerful month forward, in keeping with the newest information from Auto Dealer, which has recorded a big rise in client curiosity in model new autos.

Visits to its new automotive platform rose 15% month-on-month (MoM) in February and noticed an enormous 23% year-on-year (YoY) improve, marking a record-breaking begin to the yr. With motorists getting ready for the arrival of the extremely anticipated ‘25’ quantity plates in March, new automotive demand is at its highest for this era.

As March – the most important new automotive gross sales month – approaches, producers are ramping up incentives to draw consumers, significantly within the electrical car (EV) market. Whereas common reductions on new EVs dipped barely from 11.3% in January to 10.8% in February, general new automotive reductions edged up from 8.8% to 9%.

With the Zero Emission Automobile (ZEV) mandate growing to twenty-eight% this yr, additional EV worth reductions are anticipated within the coming weeks as manufacturers encourage consumers to change forward of the 2030 petrol and diesel ban.

Alongside these reductions, retailers are strategically positioning themselves by growing new automotive listings. February noticed a 3% MoM and 20% YoY improve in new automotive inventory marketed on Auto Dealer.

MG continues to dominate the EV market, with its crossover SUV, the MG ZS, changing into February’s most in-demand new electrical car, producing 8% of all EV enquiries on Auto Dealer. The MG4, final yr’s most sought-after EV, secured second place with 6.6% of enquiries, adopted by the premium Porsche Macan (4.2%).

MG additionally retained its high place amongst hottest new electrical automotive manufacturers, securing 15.1% of all EV enquiries, forward of Mini (7.8%) and BMW (4.2%). Notably, Chinese language producer BYD (5.4%) continues to realize traction, benefiting from elevated consciousness following its Euro 2024 sponsorship and the launch of a number of new fashions.

Auto Dealer’s Street to 2030 report highlights a shift in client notion, with two in 5 UK consumers now open to buying a Chinese language electrical car, significantly amongst youthful drivers aged 17-34.

Past the EV market, Land Rover’s Vary Rover retained its title as February’s most in-demand new automotive, securing 4.4% of all enquiries. The Volkswagen Golf (4.2%) adopted intently behind, whereas the Vary Rover Sport (3.4%) took third place.

Land Rover additionally reclaimed its place because the UK’s most in-demand new automotive model (14.3% share of enquiries), overtaking BMW (13%), with Volkswagen (8%) finishing the highest three.

As demand for brand new vehicles surges and producers compete with compelling provides, March is shaping as much as be a pivotal month for the UK’s automotive trade.

Bex Kennett, new automotive efficiency director at Auto Dealer commented: “Though it’s been a considerably lacklustre begin to the brand new automotive market in 2025, it’s very encouraging to see a document variety of visits to our new automotive platform this month, suggesting shoppers are getting set to purchase their model new 25 plate automotive.

“Our information reveals that each retailers and producers are additionally placing themselves in the perfect place to capitalise, not solely accelerating their provides, however importantly ensuring their new automotive inventory is in entrance of the UK’s largest viewers of in-market automotive consumers. We’ll be monitoring the info intently over the approaching weeks, however we hope March proves to be a really profitable buying and selling month for all retailers.”