New car sales in Britain fell for the first time in six years in 2017, on plummeting demand for diesel-powered vehicles and as Brexit-fuelled inflation hit spending, data showed Friday. Total sales dropped 5.7 percent to 2.54 million vehicles, the first annual drop since 2011 as consumers ditched diesel cars for automobiles seen as more environmentally-friendly, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said in a statement.

"The decline in the new car market is concerning but it's important to remember demand remains at historically high levels," said SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes.

"Falling business and consumer confidence is undoubtedly taking a toll, however, and confusing anti-diesel messages have caused many to hesitate before buying a new low emission diesel car." Hawes added: "Despite the overall decline, new car registrations remain high, with the market still the second biggest in the EU, behind Germany."

Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2018