Kia welcomes extension to scrappage scheme

Kia welcomes the extension to the UK scrappage scheme, announced today by Government Business Secretary Lord Mandelson.

It will mean that UK car buyers can now drive off in a new model Kia cee’d from only £7,995 when the new car goes on sale from 1 October. The new European designed and built Kia cee’d features a host of improvements over the outgoing model, including revised ride and handling, more fuel efficient engines and the new Kia family look. One thing hasn’t changed with new cee’d – it retains the best warranty in Europe which covers the car for seven years and 100,000 miles. Within the cee’d range is the new EcoDynamics cee’d, featuring ISG (Intelligent Stop & Go), Kia’s new breed of stop/start engine technology.

Kia has been at the forefront of the scheme in the UK since committing to the initial Government announcement and Kia has succeeded in bringing affordable, reliable and quality motoring to more new customers.

The extension will bring even greater value to those considering a new Kia for the first time. The scheme has been a significant success for Kia in the UK, as 98.8 per cent of scrappage sales have been conquest, meaning that over 16,500 new customers are experiencing Kia for the first time.

Customers have been scrapping a number of premium models to get into a Kia. Models ditched in favour of the developing Korean brand include cars from BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Lexus, Range Rover and Porsche.

Under the UK scrappage scheme, the Government gives a £1000 incentive to new car buyers if they scrap a 10 year old car. An extra £1000 is provided by the motor manufacturers.

Michael Cole, Managing Director, Kia Motors (UK) Ltd., said: “Kia welcomes this extension. With VAT expected to rise from the current rate of 15 per cent, an extension to the scrappage scheme will help to soften the blow to automotive business in the UK and help maintain momentum across the motor industry. It will also keep footfall high in dealerships across the UK, hopefully protecting jobs and dealers”.