Up to the minute press release information from the SMTA office........ The official word from the Scottish Motor Trade Association. DOWNWARD TREND IN NEW CAR SALES CONTINUES [06/11/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in October 2008 totalled 10190 units. This shows a decrease of 26% in comparison with October 2007 when 13789 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 23.05 % with 128352 units registered as against 166797 for October last year. Douglas Robertson, Chief Executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures said “this further dramatic drop in new car registrations in Scotland and across the UK is undoubtedly proof that the recession has hit Scotland with a vengeance. Drops such as these have not been seen since the early 1990’s. Today’s reduction in interest rates on 1.5% does give us some hope for the future and we would hope that this reduction is immediately passed on to consumers. Only then would we even begin to see an improvement in trading in the dealerships.” ENDS For further information please contact Douglas Robertson/Karen Thompson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk DRAMATIC DROP IN NEW CAR SALES [07/10/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in September 2008 totalled 29014 units. This shows a decrease of 26% in comparison with September 2007 when 39218 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 21.2 % with 330295 units registered as against 419290 for September last year. Douglas Robertson, Chief Executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures said “as predicted last month we have seen a further dramatic drop in new car registrations in Scotland and across the UK. During this credit squeeze all retailers are finding trading to be tough, especially car dealers. Figures such as these should show the government that reducing interest rates is an absolute necessity if they wish to ensure a return of some consumer confidence. For car dealers talk is now of survival through the next twelve months, not of businesses prospering.” ENDS For further information please contact Douglas Robertson/Karen Thompson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk FURTHER DROP IN NEW CAR SALES [08/09/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in August 2008 totalled 4578 units. This shows a decrease of 21% in comparison with August 2007 when 5813 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 18.5 % with 63225 units registered as against 77649 for August last year. Douglas Robertson, Chief Executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures said “These figures do not come as any great surprise bearing in mind the current difficult trading conditions. As with July, August is also a quiet month in the run-up to the introduction of the ‘58’ number plate this month. Whilst September will give new car sales a boost we suspect that there will be more disappointment for us as the credit squeeze tightens and the economy slows down”. He went on to say “we are disappointed that interest rates have again not been cut. We feel that an interest rate cut is now becoming a matter of urgency and that urgent action is required by the government in the short term to boost consumer confidence. ENDS For further information please contact Douglas Robertson/Karen Thompson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk CONTINUED DRAMATIC SLOWDOWN IN NEW CAR SALES [06/08/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in July 2008 totalled 10705 units. This shows a decrease of 21% in comparison with July 2007 when 13611 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 13 % with 153420 units registered as against 176277 for July last year. Sandy Burgess President of the SMTA, commenting on the figures said “To say that July’s Scottish registration figures are disappointing would be an understatement however they have not come as a complete shock. He went on to say “Traditionally July is one of the quieter registration months in our motoring calendar and this month’s figures have no doubt been affected by the current squeeze on consumer spending. However, our motor dealers are very resilient business people and I would encourage motorists to check out our fantastic deals available on our members forecourts.” ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk DRAMATIC SLOW DOWN IN SCOTTISH CAR SALES [07/07/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in June 2008 totalled 16054 units. This shows a decrease of 18.4% in comparison with June 2007 when 19682 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 6.14 % with 209190 units registered as against 222863 for June last year. Douglas Robertson, Chief Executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures said “these figures are extremely disappointing, there can be no doubt about that. However, as households face the constant rise in the cost of motoring through increased fuel costs and recently introduced government road tax reform, it was inevitable that new car registrations would slow down”. He went on to say “We are undoubtedly entering a period where we are going to have a very tough retail environment; however potential buyers should be aware replacing their ageing vehicles with a newer, more environmentally friendly version may well save in annual running costs.” ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson / Douglas Robertson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk SLOW DOWN IN CAR SALES [06/06/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in May 2008 totalled 13861 units. This shows a decrease of 7.2% in comparison with May 2007 when 14938 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 3.5 % with 179272 units registered as against 185797 for May last year. A spokesperson commenting on the figures commented “these figures are disappointing but not surprising due to the current economic climate, however, the figures are in line with our original forecast for 2008”. She went on to say “Consumers may decide to keep their car for longer, however this will not necessarily save them money, older cars could require costly repairs whereas consumers should be looking at the excellent deals on offer from our members right now with some offering fixed servicing deals.” ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson / Douglas Robertson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk CONTINUED BOOST FOR NEW CAR SALES [06/05/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in April 2008 totalled 14008 units. This shows an increase of 3.19% in comparison with April 2007 when 13575 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows an increase of 3.24 % with 175668 units registered as against 170163 for April last year. Douglas Robertson, Chief Executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures says, “an increase for the second consecutive month is most welcome. Despite rocketing fuel prices and the recent fuel crisis in Scotland, consumers have shown that they still have the confidence to invest in the new car market. Diesel car registrations have now reached 45%, their highest month on record and we believe this confirms that consumer confidence in the market remains despite the credit squeeze” He added “ a further downward adjustment in interest rates from the Bank of England would, we believe, give consumers the boost needed to replace older cars with newer, efficient and more environmentally friendly cars.” ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson / Douglas Robertson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk “08” PLATE BOOST FOR NEW CAR SALES [07/04/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in March 2008 totalled 40720 units. This shows an increase of 1.39% in comparison with March 2007 when 40163 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows an increase of 0.52 % with 451642 units registered as against 449287 for March last year. Douglas Robertson, Chief Executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures says, “this increase is most welcome especially in these times of a credit squeeze. We are pleased to note that the increase we predicted last month has happened”. He added “what we now need in for the Bank of England to further adjust interest rates downwards at their April review giving the consumer more confidence that the UK is in a position to resist what is in danger of becoming a worldwide credit slump.” ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson / Douglas Robertson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk DISAPPOINTING FEBRUARY FOR NEW CARS SALES [06/03/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in February 2008 totalled 4341 units. This shows a decrease of 11.44% in comparison with February 2007 when 4902 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 5.40 % with 69610 units registered as against 73586 for February last year. Douglas Robertson, chief executive of the SMTA, commenting on the figures says, “any drop in sales is a disappointment, however taking the first two months of the year together we are still ahead of 2007. I would think that this dip in February will show that many consumers are waiting on the arrival of the ‘08’ plate in March”. He added “ whilst we do not anticipate a massive boom in March, there have been signs that consumers are very aware of the special pricing available from new car franchises and we remain confident that the arrival of the ‘08’ plate will see a boost for sales. Today’s Bank of England announcement of no change in interest rates should add to consumer confidence. We would hope that the Chancellor in his Budget will provide further confidence for the car buyer.” ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson / Douglas Robertson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk SURPRISING START TO 2008! [06/02/2008]   New car registrations in Scotland in January 2008 totalled 11914 units. This shows an increase of 5.31% in comparison with January 2007 when 11313 new cars were registered. The overall UK figure shows a decrease of 2.12 % with 162097 units registered as against 165603 for January last year. A spokesperson for the SMTA, commenting on the figures says, “A pleasing start to 2008 and we hope that this trend continues . What with so many excellent deals available from our members we hope that we can maintain this ongoing increase in new car sales. ENDS For further information please contact Karen Thompson / Douglas Robertson. Tel No – 0131 331 5510 Fax No – 0131 331 4296 e-mail – douglas.robertson@smta.co.uk      - karen.thompson@smta.co.uk