During 2003 the number of new vehicles registered in Jersey fell by almost 20 per cent – from 10,429 down to 8,465.
Of the various categories of vehicle that go to make up the total, only those that qualify as ‘miscellaneous’ – diggers, fork-lift trucks, street sweepers, etc – maintained the same registrations in 2003 that had been achieved in 2002.Mr Tabb said: ‘It is tempting to blame VRD for the dramatic fall-off in registrations, and indeed other ills of the motor trade.
But clearly there was also a considerable downturn in the economy which caused many who would change their car as a matter of course not to do so but, without any doubt, slapping on a considerable price increase for no obvious benefit didn’t do any good.’So what did VRD do, apart from fall short of budgetary expectations because many Islanders decided that here was a taxing game they need not play?VRD certainly did earn some revenue for the States but there was a price to be paid.
That price was paid by the purchaser – you and me – with the man in the middle, the motor trader, watching his turnover fall to an unprecedented degree.’But things are not too bad for car buyers according to Mr Tabb: ‘As manufacturers vie furiously with each other for market share, there are some very good deals to be had and despite the imposition of VRD – which now amounts to a whopping £3,125 on a vehicle with a power unit of 3,500 cc or more – there has probably never been a better time to buy a new car.’
