Struggling car manufacturers have had a strong finish to one of their worst years in a decade with new car registrations up almost 39% in December.
This will be providing some much-needed relief in the automotive supply chain.
As the financial crisis of a year ago decimated car sales, the industry has not seen two million new cars sold in 2009 - a figure that low has not been seen since 1995.
The pain of that has been felt all across the electronics supply chain.
But nothing lasts forever and with the help of the government's scrappage scheme the automotive industry seems to be struggling back on to the road.
Since its introduction, the scrappage scheme has accounted for over a fifth of all new car registrations and is estimated to represent 20.8% of the December market, according to figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT).
The next worry is what will happen to car sales in February when the scrappage scheme comes to an end.
According to Paul Everitt, SMMT chief executive: "Another tough year awaits the UK motor industry in 2010, with new car registrations expected to be below 2009 levels and only limited recovery in the van and heavy commercial vehicle markets."
There would seem to be a case to extend it further, but I suspect that that will prove to be one bale-out too far for the cash-strapped public finances.
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