China's car sales maintained their growth pace in 2024 as sales of electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids in the world's largest auto market hit a record high amid a brutal price war and with subsidised trade-ins for greener vehicles driving purchases.

New car sales hit 1.95 million in 2024; EVs take 19.6 per cent share; Ford Puma is Britain’s best selling car, Volkswagen is Britain’s favourite car brand

China has renewed a trade-in subsidy of up to 20,000 yuan ($2,730) to help underpin sales of fuel-efficient vehicles, including electric cars and hybrids.

New car registrations in the UK rose in 2024, industry data showed on Monday, ending a challenging year for the country's auto sector amid a major electric vehicle transition.

Sales of EVs and plug-in hybrids, known collectively as new energy vehicles (NEVs), rose 40.7% to make up 47.2% of total car sales last year, closing in on a 50% milestone, buoyed by a programme likened to the 2009 US "cash-for-clunkers" stimulus.