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18/03/2010
'Scrappage Hangover' Begins In Europe
Dramatic evidence of the shifting fortunes of the car industry is revealed in latest figures from the world’s leading provider of automotive data and intelligence, JATO Dynamics, which show the effects on brands and European sales figures, of declining new car demand in Germany.
What was once Europe’s largest new car market is suffering a distinct ‘scrappage hangover’, with February sales down almost one third (29.8%), versus the same period in 2009.
Last month, it was outsold again by Italy, which is still operating a scrappage incentive scheme worth EUR 1,500 - 5,000, for every 10 year old car traded for a new, low emissions model.
One of the biggest casualties of this drop in demand was the Volkswagen Golf, whose lead over Ford’s Fiesta was cut to 4,737 sales (February 2009: 9,764 sales).
Overall, Golf sales were down 4.0% across Europe last month, mainly due to a 9.4% drop in Germany; its largest market, responsible for approximately almost half of its European sales (February 2010: 45.2%).
David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult, said of the figures: "This is the true picture of consumer confidence in the German market, after a series of smaller monthly declines.
"If this situation were to affect all markets at the end of their scrappage schemes, we could lose a third of all European new car registrations by mid-2010."
The UK scrappage scheme extension expires at the end of March, while schemes will be phased out in Spain, Italy and France through 2010.
The continued buoyant sales in these markets ensured overall European sales remained positive in February, versus 2009 (Spain up 47.2%, UK up 26.4%, Italy up 20.5% and France up 18.7%).
What was once Europe’s largest new car market is suffering a distinct ‘scrappage hangover’, with February sales down almost one third (29.8%), versus the same period in 2009.
Last month, it was outsold again by Italy, which is still operating a scrappage incentive scheme worth EUR 1,500 - 5,000, for every 10 year old car traded for a new, low emissions model.
One of the biggest casualties of this drop in demand was the Volkswagen Golf, whose lead over Ford’s Fiesta was cut to 4,737 sales (February 2009: 9,764 sales).
Overall, Golf sales were down 4.0% across Europe last month, mainly due to a 9.4% drop in Germany; its largest market, responsible for approximately almost half of its European sales (February 2010: 45.2%).
David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult, said of the figures: "This is the true picture of consumer confidence in the German market, after a series of smaller monthly declines.
"If this situation were to affect all markets at the end of their scrappage schemes, we could lose a third of all European new car registrations by mid-2010."
The UK scrappage scheme extension expires at the end of March, while schemes will be phased out in Spain, Italy and France through 2010.
The continued buoyant sales in these markets ensured overall European sales remained positive in February, versus 2009 (Spain up 47.2%, UK up 26.4%, Italy up 20.5% and France up 18.7%).
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04 March 2010
Scrappage Strengthens Car Sales
New car sales for February 2010 announced today, show that new cars sold in the month were 26.4% up on February 2009, the eighth consecutive monthly increase. Latest Government figures show that 367,506 new vehicles have been ordered through the scrappage scheme since it went live. Over 19% of February sales were part of the scrappage scheme.
Scrappage Strengthens Car Sales
New car sales for February 2010 announced today, show that new cars sold in the month were 26.4% up on February 2009, the eighth consecutive monthly increase. Latest Government figures show that 367,506 new vehicles have been ordered through the scrappage scheme since it went live. Over 19% of February sales were part of the scrappage scheme.
21 January 2010
Manufacturer Scrap Scheme Predicted
Kevin Gaskell, motoring expert and Chairman from Motoring.co.uk, has given his prediction of how the automotive industry will react to the ending of the governments scrappage scheme. "The scrappage scheme has brought forward into 2009 many new car sales which normally would have occurred in 2010.
Manufacturer Scrap Scheme Predicted
Kevin Gaskell, motoring expert and Chairman from Motoring.co.uk, has given his prediction of how the automotive industry will react to the ending of the governments scrappage scheme. "The scrappage scheme has brought forward into 2009 many new car sales which normally would have occurred in 2010.
09 April 2010
Ford Fiesta Tops UK Car Sales
Strong demand for Ford's best-ever product line-up has helped to increase the blue oval brand's UK market lead during March's changeover to the "10" plate. Ford's UK sales lead for the month, and for the year to date, has increased by more than 50% compared with 2009. Ford car sales, at 62,075, were up 18.7% compared with March 2009.
Ford Fiesta Tops UK Car Sales
Strong demand for Ford's best-ever product line-up has helped to increase the blue oval brand's UK market lead during March's changeover to the "10" plate. Ford's UK sales lead for the month, and for the year to date, has increased by more than 50% compared with 2009. Ford car sales, at 62,075, were up 18.7% compared with March 2009.
11 February 2010
Škoda Names Top UK Retailers
Škoda UK announced its Retailers of the Year 2009 at a prestigious dinner and awards ceremony at the Hotel Intercontinental in Prague last week.
Škoda Names Top UK Retailers
Škoda UK announced its Retailers of the Year 2009 at a prestigious dinner and awards ceremony at the Hotel Intercontinental in Prague last week.
09 February 2010
Scappage Registration Passes 311,000
Around 25,846 new cars were registered through the scrappage scheme in January - 17.8% of the month’s total - new figures have revealed. Average CO2 emissions of a car bought through the scheme was 133.3g/km, almost 10% below the overall new car market average and 26.
Scappage Registration Passes 311,000
Around 25,846 new cars were registered through the scrappage scheme in January - 17.8% of the month’s total - new figures have revealed. Average CO2 emissions of a car bought through the scheme was 133.3g/km, almost 10% below the overall new car market average and 26.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Overcast skies and light rain continue through the morning. The afternoon will soon become mainly dry with bright or clear spells spreading east from shortly after midday. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:There is the chance of the odd evening shower, otherwise the night will stay mainly dry with clear spells and the odd fog patch developing later. Minimum temperature 4 °C.
