Golf returns to top of Europe

May 18 2009

Volkswagen's Golf has returned to the top spot in the European sales charts, having recently slipped behind the FORD Fiesta.

Figures released by Jato Dynamics, a provider of automotive data and intelligence, found the Golf outsold other models during April, as European drivers continue to look at smaller, more economical vehicles during the credit crunch.

Over the year, however, the Fiesta has continued to gain ground on the Golf, with sales across Europe up 19.7 per cent year-on-year, despite the recession hitting the overall car industry.

According to Jato Dynamics, an important factor in the upturn has been the recent scrappage schemes announced by a number of governments throughout Europe, whereby motorists are being offered cash incentives to get rid of old, polluting cars and replace them with more environmentally-friendly vehicles.

"National government scrappage schemes are really starting to have an impact, both in the sales volumes in different markets and in the type of cars being sold," said David Di Girolamo, head of Jato Consult.

British chancellor Alistair Darling announced in his Budget last month plans to introduce a scrappage scheme whereby drivers could receive up to £2,000 to get rid of their old car.

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