NEW car sales took a further hit in March – and it’s due to the lack of a new car scrappage scheme.
SMMT chief Paul Everitt says the UK being the only European country NOT to have a scrap scheme in place is hurting car sales.
‘March new car registrations are a barometer of confidence in the economy, from businesses and consumers alike. The fall in the market shows that government needs to do more to boost confidence.
‘A scrappage scheme will provide the incentive needed, and the evidence is clear that schemes already implemented across Europe do work to increase demand.’
Whereas new car sales are down 30.5 percent so far in 2009, they are UP 40 percent in Germany – and UP nearly 10 percent in France.
The contrast with Italy makes sobering reading. The sales delcline there mirrored the UK, until the Government introduced a scrappage scheme earlier in the year.
The new model, on sale in May, has just been certified in Japan with the dramatic figure, an all-time low for new cars.