What were you doing on the day England beat Germany 5 – 1 in
Munich? Were you one of the millions who watched the match at your local pub?
Perhaps you were huddled round a television set with friends? Maybe though you
were one of thousands of people unable to tear themselves away from the wheels
of their new cars.
Because as well as an historic England football victory, for
thousands of excited new car buyers 1 September signalled the chance to take
advantage of excellent new car deals – and a completely new registration plate
system. By coincidence, new cars registered from 1 September feature 51 on the
numberplate. The 51 identifies the date on which the car was registered but,
to millions of people, it now has an even wider significance that makes it easy
to remember: England’s stunning 5 – 1 victory over Germany.
SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said, ‘We thought
that it might take some time for people to get used to the change to the registration
plate system. But it seems that England’s footballers have given us the perfect
memory cue to remember what the age identifier 51 means. 1 September 2001 will
now be etched on the brains of millions throughout the country.
‘ The industry predicts that September 2001 will be another
bumper month, following 10 months of growth in the new car market. New car registrations
are expected to top 400,000 units, compared to 353,494 units in September 2000,
with figures boosted by the new registration plate format.
The new registration plate still features seven characters.
The first two letters identify the region in which the vehicle was registered.
Two numbers, starting with 51, comprise the date identifier with three random
letters completing the plate.
ends.
