UK Car Sales Increase For The First Time In Over A Year
In Britain, car sales has risen for the first time since April last year - since the government introduced it's "cash for bangers" scheme.
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) stated that new car registrations rose 2.4% last month compared to last year to 157,149, an increase of almost 3,800.
A fifth of all sales were gained from the car scrappage scheme introduced, which accounts for 33,000 vehicles, in July. Smaller cars from manufacturers seemed to benefit the most from this, including Ford, Hyundai, Toyota, Vauxhall and Kia.
The scrappage scheme rewards those who trade in their old car with a new fuel-efficient one with a £2,000 discount. Since the scrappage scheme has been introduced, 18th May, it has generated 84,361 sales.
"The impact of the scrappage scheme is clear and we are encouraged by the positive impact it has had," said Paul Everitt, the SMMT's chief executive.
"Industry still faces a long road to recovery and we urge government to take action to sustain economic recovery through easing access to finance and credit and delivering the loan guarantees set out by the automotive assistance programme," he said.
Car registration is still down - a loss of 550,000 from the same period last year; a 22.8% loss for the year.
Published on: 13:01 06-08-2009
