Spain's new car sales in 2009 registered a record low in 14 years, according to data published on Monday by the car manufacturers' association ANFAC.
The number of family cars and off-road vehicles sold in Spain last year totaled 952,772, the lowest since 1995 when 881,511 were sold.
According to ANFAC, the new car sales would have been even worse had the government not introduced the plan 2000E in May 2009, which encouraged the sale of new cars and a reduction in the number of older cars on the road.
Under this initiative, car buyers will be given up to 2,000 euros (2,880 U.S. dollars) towards the purchase of a new car, up to the value of 30,000 euros (43,400 dollars).
The plan promoted around 260,000 sales in 2009 and will be extended through 2010.