Automakers offer scrappage deals in race for new clients in UK

Renault-Nissan and Kia are the newest automakers to release automobile trade-in plans, focused on convincing UK clients to switch older, more polluting, vehicle models for new ones.

Earlier Volkswagen and Toyota revealed diesel scrappage scheme, joining BMW, Ford, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz and Vauxhall who have all launched such schemes.

The automakers will accept trade-ins from any brand registered prior 2010.

It comes as the hardest ever new-car emissions tests start to be rolled out.

Kia, Toyota and Renault are all providing ₤ 2,000 off new models, for part-exchanged automobiles, all which will be removed from the road.

Nissan is calling its scheme a “switch” plan as not all the cars traded in will be ditched. The firm is also providing a ₤ 2,000 reward and motivating customers to think about purchasing their all-electric Leaf model.

Volkswagen will offer discounts of approximately ₤ 6,000 to sell diesel cars when buying a new vehicle. Meanwhile, Toyota is providing to ₤ 4,000 off models over 7 years old.

Automakers have been under increasing political pressure, particularly in Germany, to motivate consumers to buy less contaminating vehicles.

It comes after VW’s emissions scandal, in which 11 million vehicles globally were found to have cheated on emissions tests.

VW’s UK plan, that includes all its UK brands – including Audi, Seat, Skoda and VW Commercial Vehicles – follows an initiative launched in Germany.

VW’s German scheme provided a discount rate of as much as 10,000 euros (₤ 9,000) to sell diesel vehicles.