It's Official- we are
being ripped off!! A government sponsored survey found more than 60% of popular car
models were cheaper to buy on mainland Europe than in Britain. Legislation is promised but
no time scale has yet been set.
As the millennium approaches the government has announced a crack-down on car crime.
The latest approach involves all motorists being forced to fit immobilisers to gain an mot certificate. Ministers haven't said to what standard the immobiliser must be, but a standard is sure to follow, whether motorists will later have to fit newer systems when all car thieves have worked out how to crack the standard systems wasn't mentioned either.
New car sales rose by 1.8% in May compared with the previous May. Figures for the year show that sales are 3% up over 1998. The rise may seem good for the Automotive industry at first viewing, but many will interpret the relatively small boost as the failure of the new twice yearly plate changes to create large twin peaks of demand. Critics have argued that once the cachet of having a "new car for 12 months" had disappeared, that many owners would not be in such a rush to trade in for their next car. If the V plate only generates as many sales as the T, then we can expect to see mass hari-kari at the main dealers.
The big winners may turn out to be DVLC as poseurs turn onto private registrations even more.
| Skoda | +77% |
| Isuzu | +59% |
| Alfa Romeo | +45% |
| Ford Focus |
| Vauxhall Ashtray |
| Ford Fiesta |
| Vauxhall Vectra |
| Vauxhall Corsa |
| Ford Mondeo |
| VW Golf |
| Renault Megane |
| Renault Clio |
| Fiat Punto |