Scrappage Scheme created 3,000 new jobs - SIMI

Figures from SIMI show 11,688 Scrappage cars have been bought so far this year. This could rise to 15,000 as figures for the final two days of June have yet to be compiled. Figures show that 10 per cent of all Scrappage sales occurred in January, writes Trish Whelan.

Renault was the top selling brand under the Government Scrappage scheme while the Ford Fiesta was the top selling car.

The majority of Scrappage cars, 52 per cent, were in the lowest emission category, Band A, saving 40,000 tons of C02 this year and each subsequent year. The average car scrapped has C02 emissions of 200g/km while the new car it is replacing has emissions of just 120g/km.

SIMI President Gerry Caffrey (pictured) says Scrappage has been the saviour for the industry. "Two years ago, new car sales were 57,000 for the whole year, today that figure for just half the year is 77,000." He said the Scrappage Scheme didn't just benefit the industry - the real benefit of the scheme was the 3,000 new jobs it created.

Every job saves the government, on average, €23,000 in PAYE/PRSI and Social Welfare so these 3,000 jobs represent a saving of €70 million.