New car sales for the first eight months of the year are down almost eight per cent compared with the corresponding period last year, figures released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry confirm.
To the end of August a total of 68,544 were sold compared with 74,234 cars last year.
New car sales were up again in August with 3,698 cars sold compared with 3,092 last August - an increase of 20 per cent.
The introduction of the 132 plate on July 1 has had a positive effect on new car sales, according to Alan Nolan, SIMI director general.
“With the momentum from July carrying over to August, and the introduction of the new number plate, we are pleased with the increase in sales in August. July and August accounted for 22 per cent of new car sales so far this year, compared with just 10 per cent for the same period last year, so the new plate is spreading sales.
“In this context, it is important any budgetary measures assist retail business including the motor industry.
“With the Budget only seven weeks away, we’ll be asking the Minister to construct a Budget that encourages consumer spending and we will be putting forward proposals on incentives that will help increase new car sales and their associated tax revenues.”
