The success of pan-European scrappage schemes has continued to boost new car sales across the continent.
France and Italy both saw sharp rises in year-on-year new car sales in September, but sales fell 15 per cent year-on-year in Sweden where no scheme exists.
French sales were up 14.1 per cent on last year’s levels. Carmakers' association CCFA said: “The scrapping scheme benefited all carmakers that have entry-level or compact models; this range now accounts for one in two car sales in France.”
The French scrappage scheme will continue into 2011 as a gradual phase out to lessen the impact its withdrawal will have on the market.
Spanish sales were up 18 per cent year-on-year in September, although September 2008 was a very poor month in the country for sales.
Germany also saw an increase in its new car sales in September, despite the end of its scrappage scheme. The VDIK association of foreign automakers said sales rose between 20 and 25 per cent year-on-year last month.
It also raised its forecast for the full year to 3.7 million units from its previous outlook of 3.45 million. In 2008, new registrations stood at 3.1 million.
Italian sales figures are expected to be announced later today. Prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has pledged to extend his country’s scrappage scheme beyond the end of the year should there be sufficient demand.
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