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| UK car sales 24% lower in April | UK car sales 24% lower in April |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| UK car sales fell by 24% in April compared with the same month last year, the latest industry figures have shown. | UK car sales fell by 24% in April compared with the same month last year, the latest industry figures have shown. |
| The number of new cars sold in the UK during the month was 133,475, the lowest since 1991, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). | The number of new cars sold in the UK during the month was 133,475, the lowest since 1991, said the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). |
| The fall is the 11th consecutive monthly decline in new car sales. | The fall is the 11th consecutive monthly decline in new car sales. |
| The government announced a car scrappage incentive scheme worth £2,000 in last month's Budget in an attempt to boost demand for new cars. | The government announced a car scrappage incentive scheme worth £2,000 in last month's Budget in an attempt to boost demand for new cars. |
| 'Tough conditions' | 'Tough conditions' |
| Similar schemes introduced in Europe have succeeded in boosting sales. | Similar schemes introduced in Europe have succeeded in boosting sales. |
| A total 613,833 cars were sold during the first four months of the year, 28.5% fewer than the 859,017 cars sold during the same period last year. | |
| Despite the sharp fall in sales, SMMT boss Paul Everitt said the UK motor industry "continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience". | Despite the sharp fall in sales, SMMT boss Paul Everitt said the UK motor industry "continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience". |
| "Industry is hopeful that its prospects will improve in the coming months and the steps it has taken will provide the basis for a sustained recovery once growth returns," he added. | "Industry is hopeful that its prospects will improve in the coming months and the steps it has taken will provide the basis for a sustained recovery once growth returns," he added. |
| He did not, however, indicate when sales might begin to grow. | He did not, however, indicate when sales might begin to grow. |
| The top five best-selling cars in April, in order, were the Ford Focus, the Ford Fiesta, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Volkswagen Golf and the Vauxhall Astra. | The top five best-selling cars in April, in order, were the Ford Focus, the Ford Fiesta, the Vauxhall Corsa, the Volkswagen Golf and the Vauxhall Astra. |
| Incentive scheme | |
| The government's car scrappage scheme is not due to start until 18 May, which could mean that motorists hold off on any new purchase until then, the SMMT said. | |
| This would actually dampen demand yet further. | |
| Once the scheme is introduced, however, the society hopes that demand will pick up. | |
| A £2,000 incentive will be paid to motorists who scrap cars registered before 31 August 1999 to buy a new car. Half of the money will be paid by the government and half by the car industry. | |
| A similar scheme in Germany helped car sales rise by 40% in March. | |
| Carmakers across the world are struggling with a massive drop in sales during the economic downturn. |