UK Car Sales, Down in April, Down in Q1

The pressure doesn't seem to ease up on the British automotive industry. The country has registered in April its 11th consecutive month in which negative sales figures were registered. This time, April sales fell by 24 percent, while the entire Q1 brought a drop of 28.5 percent, according to data submitted by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).

“Today records the 11th successive fall in new car registrations yet the UK motor industry continues to demonstrate its strength and resilience throughout,” Paul Everitt, SMMT CEO said in a release.

Last month was the lowest April market since 1991, still standing 13 percent above the forecast of 118,000 units. Registrations over the first four months of 2009 declined by 28.5 percent, or 245,184 units. The rolling annual total has fallen to just 1.887 million units. As for manufacturers and brands, Ford did the best, with Focus and Fiesta the main models under the spotlight.

“Despite the tough conditions, 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. The UK motor industry remains of strategic importance and will play a key part in generating jobs and prosperity into the future,” added the CEO

The steps Everitt talks about are based on the country's recently approved scrappage scheme, set to come into effect on May 18. The scheme, who's bonus is evenly split between the government and the industry, calls for a £2,000 bonus to be given to those who scrap a car registered on or before 31 August 1999, when buying a new vehicle.