The new 'W' registration cars have gone on sale in the UK amid dealers' fears that private buyers are continuing to stay away. The introduction of two new number plates a year was intended to lure more buyers into showrooms. But car sales in the UK have been depressed by consumer hopes that car prices will fall, or that they can buy many cars cheaper abroad.
Their hopes have been boosted by the imminent publication of a government report into car prices that is expected to say that they are far too high. The Competition Commission report was delivered to Stephen Byers, the Trade and Industry Secretary, in January, and he is expected to publish it shortly. Even the retail motor industry admits that sales are likely to be depressed after January sales, excluding fleet sales to companies, fell 10.6%.
"The delayed competition commission report will certainly impact on March sales as more people are delaying their purchase decisions in the belief that prices will come down," said Alan Pulham of the Retail Motor Industry Federation.
Source:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/662648.stm
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