Ford extends scrappage scheme into 2018

Car-maker Ford has announced that it is extending its scrappage scheme for pre-Euro 5 cars and vans into the first quarter of 2018.

Announced in August, the scrappage scheme has been open to owners of vehicles registered before December 2009, with up to £2,000 available for customers to switch to a Euro 6 petrol or diesel model.

The recently launched Ford Fiesta Vignale which attracts a high scrappage allowance

The scheme had originally been due to run up until 31 December, but will now run until the end of the first quarter of 2018.

Andy Barratt, Ford of Britain chairman and managing director, said:  “The Ford scrappage scheme has been so well received by our customers and I’m pleased to announce its extension in to next year. We have an excellent product line-up and our scheme is applicable to one of the broadest ranges of vehicles, including the segment leading Ford Ranger.

“We continue to carry strong sales momentum as we move towards the end of the year. Our CV sales growth was particularly positive in an increasingly challenging market. It’s also rewarding to see the all-new Fiesta strengthening its leadership position as we continue the launch of the full model range, with Fiesta Active and ST still to come to complete the line-up of our most technologically advanced Fiesta ever.”

Scrappage

Other manufacturers including Volkswagen, Kia and Toyota have also launched scrappage schemes in a bid to encourage drivers to switch to cleaner models.

Scrappage schemes have been launched in part to address concerns over air pollution, which have contributed to flagging car sales, according to the motor industry.

Figures released by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) this week indicate that total car sales in November were down 11.2% to 163,541 units, compared with November 2016.

For the year to date (end November) total UK car sales were 2,338,144, down 5% compared with the same period in 2016. Ford car sales for this period were 271,855.

Government is also exploring the possibility of introducing its own ‘targeted’ scrappage scheme in a bid to speed up the removal of more polluting vehicles from the UK’s roads — complementing the scrappage schemes already implemented by car manufacturers.