Further figures prove that the UK
car market is in real strife. With 15,000 fewer new
vehicles on the road in February compared to last year, the
recession is hitting the
new car sector hard, leading many
car companies to urge the government for help.
The
Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders released figures
showing that new car registrations were 21.9 per cent lower than
the same month in 2008. Thousands of jobs have already been shed
from car companies, manufacturers and assembly plants.
Although the government has claimed to be helping the car
companies, no
money has so far been released. A variety of companies are
thought to be looking for state assistance, following slumping
new car sales .
At this stage, the government has not indicated how it will help
the car companies. The chief executive of the
SMMT, Paul Everitt, reportedly commented: What we need
now is a more urgent response from the Government, particularly in
terms of activity to help demand.