Small cars lead scrappage boom

05th June 2009

It's official: the Scrappage Scheme has got off to a flying start. Thousands of buyers have already placed orders for new cars, and we can exclusively reveal that 40 per cent of you are planning to take part.

That’s the result of an Auto Express online poll, which also asked readers which models they would most like to buy with their £2,000 banger bonus. Small cars were the most popular choice, with one-third of you saying you intend to purchase one when you send your 10-year-old model to the crusher.

But it’s clear that drivers aren’t the only people to gain from the Scrappage Scheme. Our research revealed around 40,000 orders have already been taken by dealers across the UK, and two city cars – the Kia Picanto and Hyundai i10 – were clear favourites. In fact, Korean firm Hyundai says the scheme is proving to be a huge sales boost. It shifted 29,000 vehicles in the whole of 2008, but has already taken 7,282 scrappage orders. That means nearly one buyer in five has chosen a Hyundai – and more than 4,500 of these were i10 city cars.

Sister firm Kia has also been a hit with customers. It has sold more than 4,800 Picantos so far – making it the number one car to buy on the Scrappage Scheme.

With all those orders to process, dealers have had a busy time; Hyundai’s site in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffs, has shifted more than 200 cars alone! To follow one buyer’s scrappage experience, turn to our Special Report on Page 24 of this weeks's mag.

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