UK Showrooms To Sell 08 Plates From Tomorrow

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Fri, 29 Feb 2008

UK dealerships are preparing for tomorrow’s highly anticipated launch of 08 plated cars .

Regarded as the biggest month in the retailing calendar, sales for March 2007 exceeded expectations, reaching 449,287 units - the second highest total recorded since the introduction of the twice yearly plate change in 2001.

However, sales forecast by SMMT for this month have not been so upbeat, with the number of volumes expected to drop by 5.4 per cent to 425,000 units.

The biannual number plate change is still not fully understood by a quarter of UK car buyers, desire the current system entering its seventh year of operation, according to new research by Post Office Car Insurance .

In addition, only 17 per cent of those surveyed thought cars with new registration plates have higher status than equivalent used cars .

Phil Ashkuri, Post Office director of insurance, said: "Drivers who still think its cool to drive a brand new car will be disappointed to learn that most of the UK doesn't share their view, or even worse doesn't understand the current registration plate system ."