BEIJING - An initiative to rid the capital's roads of polluting vehicles enjoyed huge success in its first month, as motorists flocked to trade in old clunkers, authorities say.

According to official data, almost 25,000 aging automobiles were scrapped or sold to buyers outside of Beijing by the end of August, an 86-percent increase on the average for the previous seven months.

"The market is responding well so far and car owners have been enthusiastic," said Wang Junhui, a spokesman for the China Beijing Environment Exchange, which is running the program.

The policy, which is aimed at improving air quality and stimulating the flagging auto market, was launched at the start of August and aims to encourage motorists with cars at least 6 years old to trade them in for a subsidy toward an environmentally friendly vehicle.

Motorists can receive up to 10,000 yuan ($1,590) to buy a new car from 25 capital dealers, including Chang'an Ford, Beijing Ford and Chang'an Mazda.

Authorities have set a target of removing 400,000 polluting vehicles from Beijing's roads by 2015, which works out at just over 10,000 a month.

"Judging by the first month, we're positive we can meet that goal," said Du Shaozhong, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Environmental Protection Bureau.

Many motorists have applauded the policy, such as Liu Quansheng, an entrepreneur based in Beijing's Pinggu district, who recently exchanged his 9-year-old Dongfeng Yueda Kia for 4,000 yuan.

"The subsidy is a bonus for motorists willing to part with their old vehicles. The policy is good," he said. "However, it would be great if more car models are available for purchase."

Du explained that the government is in negotiations with 25 more car dealerships about providing discounted models.

Meanwhile, four extra sales centers were opened in Chaoyang, Haidian, Fengtai and Changping districts in the past month in response to complaints over the shortage of places to trade in secondhand cars and claims that the process is too complex.

"The centers will offer a one-stop service, handling subsidies and sales, which will make it more convenient for car owners," said Wang at the China Beijing Environment Exchange.

However, some Beijing drivers like Wang Yu are taking a cautious approach to the policy.

"To get a subsidy to scrap your old car and get a new one is quite a deal, but I'd rather wait and see how the market responds before I apply," he said.