Car trade anticipates M-reg sales record

THE motor industry is hoping for a record-breaking August when M-registration cars go on sale on Monday. Manufacturers and dealers hope sales will beat the record 500,112 cars sold in August 1989.

That year there were record annual sales of 2.3 million. But after that, August sales slumped, falling to 367,000 in August 1991.

With half-yearly sales well up on the January-June 1993 figure, the industry confidently predicts bouyant sales. But the National Breakdown company last week published a survey that showed many motorists thought the registration change led to extra charges being put on cars.

The question of August registrations is being considered by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders. But the huge amount of tax revenue that the August sales produce might persuade the Government to keep the present system.