New research from AutoTrader.co.uk, the UK’s largest motoring website, shows the new Scrappage Scheme will boost the car industry and is welcomed by motorists.
The new research shows that one in three (33%) motorists will be encouraged to buy a new or nearly new car due to the scrappage scheme, with 40% looking to buy a car within the next 12 months. More than a quarter of those motorists surveyed own a vehicle that is 9 years old or older and currently, AutoTrader.co.uk has over 23,000 vehicles advertised that could potentially qualify for the new scheme.
The research, conducted amongst nearly 1,400 UK motorists nationwide in April 2009, shows that:
- 10% are looking to buy a brand new car
- One quarter (25%) plan to buy a nearly new car, up to one year old
- Nearly 15% are looking to purchase a smaller vehicle than what they currently own
- 60% will stick to the same car size
- Just over half (53%) have a budget up to £10,000
- 30% have a budget up to £20,000.
AutoTrader.co.uk welcomes and supports the new scrappage scheme and believes the solution to the problems for the car industry lies in stimulating consumer demand and regaining consumer confidence – part of which is the new scheme.
AutoTrader.co.uk has published a complete and comprehensive guide to the new scheme, which will be supported by dedicated features in Auto Trader magazine. Articles will detail the full process for motorists and carry in-depth information on the cars eligible under the scheme. AutoTrader.co.uk also offers a new car search, with over 9,000 cars for sale, which means motorists can start the buying process, as well as identify further ways to keep their motoring costs down with a full post-Budget analysis and money saving advice on AutoTrader.co.uk.
Matt Thompson, Marketing Director at AutoTrader.co.uk, comments: “We are delighted that the Government has approved plans to introduce the new Vehicle Scrappage Incentive Scheme and we fully support this initiative. We will help motorists take advantage of the new scheme, giving them the largest choice of new and nearly new vehicles in one place as the UK’s biggest motoring portal.
“Right now, we have over 23,000 vehicles on our site that could potentially qualify for the scrappage scheme. Now it is going ahead, we will communicate to all motorists who are advertising vehicles that qualify; provide an easy guide to the scheme for their qualifying new and used vehicles; and introduce motorists to their appropriate local dealer.
“We will also support the new scheme with our dedicated content. Our new car search offers over 9,000 cars for sale and is a great place to search for new economical vehicles that qualify for the scheme. With over 10m motorists using the Auto Trader site each month, combined with the fact that we do business most of the UK dealers – we will play a big part in helping to facilitate the scheme. AutoTrader.co.uk’s newcar area has the most new and nearly new cars online, so motorists can search for vehicles quickly and easily.
“We believe this initiative can go even further than industry experts predict to help motorists and dealers during this period of economic difficulty. This is the best solution we’ve seen because it is targeted at the motorist and we have evidence already from Germany that it actually makes a material difference.
“We are keen to hear what motorists have to say about the scheme and how it affects them – users can visit http://autotraderblog.co.uk/ to share their opinions and experiences with other drivers.”
AutoTrader.co.uk is the world of cars made easy – from new and used cars to insurance and finance, along with advice and solutions to help reduce the cost of motoring.
- Ends -
Notes to Editor:
• AutoTrader.co.uk is the UK’s no 1 motoring website, with over 10.3 million monthly unique users, who carry out over 106 million searches on new and used vehicles*. The brand is building a competitive position across all effective channels including online, mobile and magazine. (*Source: Auto Trader Audit, January 2009).
• AutoTrader.co.uk is owned by Trader Media Group, one of Europe’s largest specialist multi-media groups and provider of market leading websites and their associated magazines, including Top Marques, Bike Trader, Truck & Plant Trader, Ad Trader, Motorhome and Caravan Trader, Farmers Trader – all with the largest reach in their sectors, through web visitors and magazine readership.
• Trader Media Group operates in the UK, Ireland, Italy and South Africa. The Group is looking to expand on its winning formula: giving trade customers the opportunity to choose all effective channels to market; building the service and relationship with dealers and manufacturers; and strengthening its portfolio of automotive and specialist classified titles.
• Trader Media Group is jointly owned by Guardian Media Group and Apax Partners
For further information, please contact:
Karen Hughes/Caroline Burnell
The Drum Consultancy
Tel: 020 7025 8044
Fax: 020 7025 8100
Email: caroline@thedrumconsultancy.co.uk
