Sales grow without scrap
SCRAPPAGE incentives are widely being credited as the driving force behind recent new car sales rises.
However, the SMMT has just released data, showing that October sales would have gone up even without scrappage
The market would have risen by 3.9 percent over 2008 levels – less than the actual scrappage-boosted 31.6 percent figure, but still worthwhile.
New car sales under the scrappage scheme represented 21 percent of the October new car market, meaning that the current total of scrappage registrations stands at 215.472.
As ever, this figure does not include cars currently on order – all these have to be delivered within 4 months of ordering.
This means scrappage incentives will continue to influence new car sales numbers for some months yet.
‘The scrappage incentive scheme continues to act as an important driver, boosting new car registrations and sustaining jobs in vehicle retailing and manufacturing,’ said SMMT chief Paul Everitt.
‘Since May, new car registrations have grown by 0.8 percent, but if all scrappage volumes were removed, a 19.5 percent decline would be evident.’ Sobering stuff.
It’s a green scheme too, say the figures. New cars registered through the scheme emit:
• 11 percent less CO2 than the overall market average
• 27.5 percent less CO2 than the cars they replace
• Have much stricter pollution control devices
• Comply with tough Euro 4/5 legislation
Sales gains with a green side too, then…
New car sales best gain of 2009
Tags: new car sales, new car scrap, scrappage, SMMT