The first cars with Y-prefix registration plates poured on to British roads Thursday, marking the final time this format will be used before new European-style plates are introduced in September.
The new plates, which will begin with two letters enabling people to see the car’s place of origin, are expected to increase car sales.
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“We are back to the good old days of midnight parties at car showrooms,” said SMMT spokesman Christopher McGowan, adding that the month of March looks set to be a good month for UK car dealers.
“November, December, January and February have been highly successful months, with consumers coming back into showrooms and buying cars.”
British car buyers have complained that better deals were available in continental Europe rather than in the UK.
Following an investigation by the Competition Commission, it was revealed that British customers were paying 12 percent more on average for their cars than their European counterparts.
The UK Government introduced legislation last November with the aim of increasing competition in the car industry.
