TOMORROW, Chancellor Alistair Darling holds the fate of car dealers across the UK in his hands.

And today we urge him to do the right thing – announce a Scrap Scheme Now.

We know the scheme has its doubters, but we’ve seen and reported on the positive results in other European countries, especially in Germany where sales are actually UP.

Many car dealers are suffering in this recession and need help NOW – and Car Dealer thinks this is the right way to do it.

Gordon Brown and his chums have already made one mistake – delaying an announcement for so long.

That is why we started our Scrap Scheme Now campaign in the first place. Not necessarily to call for a scrappage scheme, but for the powers that be to make a decision either way.

The delay has already stung dealers. When you think a £2,000 cash bonus for scrapping your old car over nine years is around the corner, who wouldn’t wait?

And that’s what’s caused so much angst.

We know the decision has probably already been made, and the finishing touches are probably being added to their plan right now.

But Car Dealer today takes this opportunity to urge Alistair Darling to make the right decisions:

•    DON’T delay it for months
•    DON’T impose it on just electric or hybrid cars
•    DON’T ignore used cars
•    DON’T set the CO2 ceiling so low that some manufacturers would miss out

As we mentioned, there are those that don’t agree a scrappage scheme is the right way to go – but until we hear a better idea to get us out of this mess, we do.

The motor industry across the UK is vital for the economy – we know that, you know that.

Now we just need to keep our fingers crossed and hope the government know that, too.

Tomorrow we’ll be reporting live on the Budget at CarDealerMagazine.co.uk and waiting with baited breath on the government’s decision.

Fingers crossed they don’t screw it up this time…

James, editor, Car Dealer
Richard, deputy editor, Car Dealer

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Tags: Blog, Chancellor, darling, scrappage, Scrappage

This entry was last updated on Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 at 6:12 pm and is filed under Blog, Scrappage.