It’s further good news this month with car sales up by just over 15% over the same period last year. Sales in October hit 2,646 in total and that translates o 103,253 new car registrations so far this year, as against 86,811 this time in 2020.
Electric cars are continuing their strong showing with 522 cars registered last month, a 105% increase over the same month last year. So far this year 8,342 EVs were registered, which is a substantial increase over the 3,847 units registered up to October 2020.
Electrified vehicles, which include full EVs, Hybrids and plug-in Hybrids continue to increase market share with a combined total of just over 31%. Diesel is still hanging on to the top sales spot with 33% of the total market but it won’t be long before it loses that position. Petrol powered cars account for 32% of sales with Hybrids taking 16%, EVs on 8% and PHEVs on 7%.
Light Commercials saw a decrease in sales while HGVs were up by a substantial margin.
Used cars imported are down again, with 4,401 imports, a figure well south of the 9,316 of October 2020. Overall this year used imports are down by just over 5% on the 2020 figure but over 40% down on 2019’s figure, showing that this is a declining sector of the market as Brexit and NoX levies kick in.
Commenting, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General said “New car registrations for October were ahead of last year for both the month and for the year to date, although new car sales continue to remain behind pre-COVID levels. With Climate Change at the forefront of everyone’s minds, it is hugely positive to see the year on year growth in the sales of both Electric and Plug-in Electric Hybrid Vehicles. This is a result of the Motor Industry providing a greater selection of low emitting cars combining with the Government’s support in terms of incentives, giving motorists wider and more affordable choices. This is the right approach, and has led to more consumers making better environmental decisions. It is this joint effort from Industry and Government that must continue if we are to reach our decarbonisation targets. On the contrary the sudden removal of the grant incentive for Plug-in Electric Vehicles, only serves to undermine consumer confidence in lower emitting technologies and this incentive should be re-instated for vehicles already committed to by both the Industry and consumers. Looking forward to 2022 and beyond, it is vital that the current Government supports for Electric Vehicles are extended out until 2025, along with State and private investment in a countrywide charging infrastructure. If we want to rapidly electrify the Irish car and commercial fleet the Industry and Government must work together to give consumers real choice.”
Top 5 Top Selling Car Brands
1. Toyota
2. Volkswagen
3. Hyundai
4. Skoda
5. Ford
Top 5 selling models
1. Hyundai Tucson
2. Toyota Corolla
3. Toyota Yaris
4. Volkswagen Tiguan
5. Toyota Rav-4
