Currently reading: SMMT: industry needs support

SMMT chief hopes the government will continue to support the UK car industry after scrappage

The Society of Motor Manufacturers (SMMT) has called on the government to do more to support the British car industry.

SMMT chief executive Paul Everitt said scrappage had been a welcome boost to the flagging industry, but he hoped the government’s pre-budget report would reveal further ways it intended to help the industry long term.

“Scrappage continues to have a positive impact on vehicle registrations, contributing to the 57.6 per cent increase in November’s registrations,” he said. “It has helped to generate consumer confidence and SMMT urges government to sustain the recovery and support the long-term future of the motor industry through its pre-budget report.”

His comments follow the SMMT’s announcement that more than 250,000 vehicles had now been sold under scrappage.

In November, more than one in five cars sold was under scrappage. Since it was introduced in May, new car sales have increased every month since July halting 15 months of consecutive decline. The scheme is expected to run out in February.

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