New Astra sales take off
THE new Vauxhall Astra has made a flying start, with domestic sales ahead of forecasts.
The car -made at the company’s Ellesmere Port factory – was launched last October, but only went on sale in showrooms in mid December.
Although December is not traditionally a major month for car sales with consumers focused on Christmas, more than 1,300 new Astras were sold during
the month.
A Vauxhall spokesman said sales in the first quarter were strong, with 7,000 paid-for orders made already.
“We are pleased with the interest in and the market response to the new generation Astra, and we expect sales to continue to grow as availability of the car increases into the dealerships.”
The sales figures do not include those vehicles made in Ellesmere Port and exported internationally. Around half of all the cars made at the plant are exported. mostly to Continental Europe, where the Asta is sold under the Opel brand.
Last year Astra was the fourth best selling car in the UK with sales of 67,000. The market leader is the Ford Fiesta, which sold 117,000 cars in 2009.
Car sales in the second half of 2009 were boosted by the Government’s ‘cash for bangers’ scheme, which offered motorists £2,000 towards a new car if they traded in an old vehicle.
According to the society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, 2009 saw 1,994,999 new vehicles sold – down 6% on 2008.
The SMMT fears sales will decline to 1.8 million this year due to the end of the scrappage scheme next month.
