The extension to the Government scrappage scheme delivered a massive boost to the new car market last month.

Registrations were up 57.6% in November, albeit over a very weak November 2008. As a result, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders believes the full new car market for 2009 could reach 1.975 million units.

Scrappage accounted for 21.6% of all registrations last month. Private sales for November rose 141.2% to 87,285, fleet registrations rose 9.6% to 65,426 and busioness sales were up 21.5% to 5,371.

So far this year, 1,844,063 new cars have been sold in the UK - down 8.8% on the same period last year.