New car sales were down more than 97 per cent in April, to their lowest level “in living memory”.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders says new car registrations numbered just 4,321 in the month and it expects 2020 to see the lowest number of sales since 1992.

It wants car dealerships to be among the first shops to be allowed to reopen as the Government eases current restrictions.

Chief Exec Mike Hawes called it, “exceptionally grim reading” and added, “A strong new car market supports a healthy economy and as Britain starts to plan for recovery, we need car retail to be in the vanguard. Safely restarting this most critical sector and revitalising what will, inevitably, be subdued demand will be key to unlocking manufacturing and accelerating the UK’s economic regeneration.”