17 Sep 2009

Hundreds of car dealers out of business

4:17 pm on 17 September 2009

More than 500 registered motor vehicle traders have fallen by the wayside during the recession, mainly due to declining car sales in the past 18 months, the Motor Trade Association says.

Association spokesperson Andy Cuming says many dealers who have gone out of business were selling used cars, and were often trading on the Internet, from home or even on the roadside.

He says virtually all are dealers who entered the market in the past four or five years when conditions were easier.

Mr Cuming says the decline in dealers has now tapered off, and it appears those who remain are there for the long haul.