UK Car Registrations Jump 58 Percent

LONDON (AP) -- New car registrations in the United Kingdom rose 58 percent in November compared to a year ago as the industry continued to benefit from government-backed incentives, an industry group said Friday.

The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders said 158,082 cars were registered in November.

For the year to date, new car registrations are lagging 9 percent below a year ago.

The government and the industry are sharing the cost of 2,000 pound ($3,300) discounts on cars for buyers who trade in a car more than 10 years old. That program was involved in slightly more than a fifth of the November registrations, the society said, adding that buyers were also seeking to get cars before the sales tax rises in January.