Good December figures meant the number of new cars sold in 2009 dipped only 6.4% compared with 2008, it was announced today.
Boosted by the Government’s car-scrappage scheme, the number of new vehicles registered in 2009 was 1,994,999, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) said.
In a significant boost to the car insurance industry, the final figure was well above the SMMT’s original forecasts, helped by the fact that December 2009 sales were 38.9% up on those of the same month in 2008.
The “cash-for-bangers” scrappage scheme, introduced in May, led to an upsurge in sales in 2009.
Monthly registrations had fallen for 15 successive months before they started rising again in July, with big increases in the months that followed.
SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said today: “The December new car market was boosted by the scrappage scheme and consumers looking to avoid January’s VAT increase.
“The 2009 market of 1,994,999 new car registrations was significantly above early expectations and reflects the positive impact of the scheme, due to end in February.”
