British car sales show first rise for 15 months: Trade

LONDON: Sales of new cars in Britain rose for the first time in 15 months during July because of a government-backed old-for-new scheme, industry body the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said on Thursday.

New car sales rose by 2.4 percent in July from the figure for the same month in 2008.

"This was the first (year-on-year) growth in 15 months, reflecting the positive impact of the scrappage incentive scheme," SMMT said in a statement.