Car dealers want scrappage scheme to avert jobs crisis

MOTOR industry representatives have called on the Government to introduce urgent measures, including a new scrappage scheme, to avert a huge crisis in the trade.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) claims 3,000 jobs have already been lost since September with another 3,000 positions at risk because of a sharp downturn in business.

Figures released by the society show new car sales fell by more than 66% last month compared with the same month in 2008.