Deadlock!
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• Representatives from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders and the Motor Agents Association have failed to reach a compromise agreement on the question of the month in which the vehicle registration letter is changed. Another meeting is scheduled for September 17.
The two organisations met recently, hoping to avert a damaging disagreement between motor manufacturers and their dealers, but each side remains implacably opposed to the other's proposals.
At present the SMMT proposed an October date for a the change of letter. The MAA claims an October date would result in large numbers of used vehicles appearing at dealers forecourts just before
Compromise
L One possible compromise between the two sides is suggested in a new report by the Motor Industry Research Unit at the University of East
Anglia. The MIRU report, sponsored by the MAA, proposes the introduction of a month identifier on the registration plate. By indicating the month in which the vehicle was purchased. dealers would benefit from a more even demand for vehicles throughout the year, claims the report the traditionally slack winter period and proposes a July change.
Earlier this year Nicholas Ridley, then Transport Secretary, announced that the 'E' registration letter will come into effect in October 1987, instead of August as at present. At that time Ridley said he would be prepared to change the registration month again if the SMMT and the MAA could reach a compromise.
With the two organisations seemingly deadlocked, it appears increasingly likely that the October change to the prefix will go ahead.