The present scheme runs out at the end of December and the industry is asking the Government to allow it continue for the first six months of 2011, the crucial buying peak time.
And although more than 10,000 employees in the industry lost their jobs last year, the motor trade has taken its first step on the road to recovery, according to the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI).
SIMI President Eddie Murphy said the 'biggest achievement this year for the industry has been the introduction of the Government Scrappage Scheme which has helped drive car sales and inject confidence back into the industry'.
The motor chiefs had predicted that 70,000 cars would be sold for the whole of 2010, with the aid of Scrappage. That has been exceeded, with over 75,000 new cars bought so far this year.
Pictured at the SIMI news conference are Director General of SIMI, Alan Nolan; Eddie Murphy, President SIMI; and SIMI Press Officer Suzanne Sheridan.
