With the UK auto industry struggling in the wake of the global recession, many factories in the UK are extending their winter shutdowns and laying off workers.
And on the back of news that output is down 60%, Tony Woodley and Derek Simpson of Unite (the trade union) have met with the Chancellor Alistair Darling, calling for £13bn to help the auto industry and struggling manufacturers.
Here's what other European countries have done to boost demand for new cars by giving incentives to scrap older cars:
|
Country
|
Criteria |
Incentive |
Boost to market
|
| Austria |
Over 13 years old |
€1,500 to purchase a new car with Euro 4 as minimum engine specification. |
e 30,000
|
| France |
Over ten years old |
€1,000-2,000 to purchase a new car which is less than 160 g/km or an LCV. |
220,000
|
| Germany |
Over nine years old |
€ 2,500 to purchase a car up to 12 months old with Euro 4 as minimum engine specification. |
400,000
|
| Greece* |
No age limit |
€400-800 to scrap vehicle plus €1,500-3,400 if purchase a new vehicle. |
e 20,000
|
| Italy* |
More than ten years old |
€1,500 to purchase a car which is at least Euro 4 engine specification and emits less than 140g/km for petrol and 130 g/km for diesel. |
200,000
|
| Portugal |
More than ten years old |
€1,000-1,250 for a car which emits less than 140 g/km. |
e 20,000
|
| Romania |
Over ten years old |
€1,000 to purchase a car. |
60,000
|
| Spain |
Over ten years old or 250,000 km |
Up to €10,000 0% loan to purchase a new car or LCV. The car must cost less than €30,000 and emit less than 140 g/km. The LCV must emit less than 160 g/km. |
e 100,000
|
* = proposed scheme
e = estimated figure based on total car market
Source: SMMT