Feeling pinched by the cost of motoring, car drivers appear to be switching to scooters, based on figures from the Motorcycle Industry Association.
Figures indicate a 12 percent rise in transactions during 2011, even though motorcycle sales have fallen, differing from the previous year (2010) which saw scooter sales fall by almost ten percent.
Powerful sport motorcycles have seen a drop in sales of 32 percent compared to the 20 percent rise off 125cc scooters in the sales charts.
Gary Thomas commented that scooter sales rose 10-12 years ago when new automatic technology meant that all manufacturers came out with new models, but believes this time the rise is attributed to the rise in cost. With many two-car households deciding to trade in one car for a scooter, believing this to be a way to save on petrol costs and to avoid congestion charges.
Peugeot and Honda are reporting rise in figures of 60-and-40 percent respectively, believing it to be fuel costs that are prompting this switch, including parking charges which are reduced even often free with a scooter.
New car sales have seen a fall of 4.4 percent in 2011 compared to 2010 where 1.94m sold in the UK, however through Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders predicting 1.92m sales, it is regarded as an acceptable result.
Good news for Diesel car sales as they surpassed sales of petrol cars for the first time ever in the UK during 2011, which is seen as more proof that vehicle running cost are higher than ever.