Scrap bonus sees car sales up 14%

MOTORISTS are rushing to take advantage of the government’s car scrappage bonus scheme before it is gradually phased out in the new year, new figures suggest.

The number of new cars sold in September rose 14.1% on the same month last year according to data published yesterday by the Comité des Constructeurs Français d’Automobiles.

CCFA spokesman François Roudier said the prime à la casse - which pays €1,000 towards the cost of a new car when scrapping a vehicle more than 10 years old – had been a major boost.

He said the trend was expected to continue from now until Christmas, ahead of a drop in the bonus payout from €1,000 to €700 on January 1.

The prime, which came into effect last December, is due to be phased out by the end of 2011.