17.02.2010
Scrappage deals drive European sales
Scrappage deals continued to tempt Western European car buyers to showrooms in January – continuing the positive trend from December and pushing the market 14.9 per cent higher than a troubled January 2009, figures released by JATO Dynamics confirm.
Once again, most buyers were tempted by the Volkswagen Golf, closely followed by the Ford Fiesta. These two models increased sales by 19.8 per cent and 21.4 per cent respectively, versus January 2009.
“In a reverse of 2009, these figures show a good start to what could be an uncertain year in sales terms,” says David Di Girolamo, Head of JATO Consult.
“Brand and model sales performances look good compared to the difficulties of last January, but scrappage schemes are certain to end this year, despite recent extensions that will surely affect the current growth trend.”
The UK Government recently announced a one-month extension to its national scheme – until March 2010 – and schemes continue in Ireland, Spain, Italy and France.
By contrast, Germany, the one major Western European new car market to have closed its scrappage incentive scheme, was down 4.3 per cent, versus January 2009.
Model Performance
The Volkswagen Golf has continued to draw in more buyers than any other model in Europe, beating Ford’s Fiesta by 2,653 units.
These two remain well clear of other top sellers, but the Renault Clio can claim to be most improved, with a 90.3% sales increase, while Volkswagen’s new Polo lifted its sales by 71.5 pef cent.
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