Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI ) show that the total new car registrations for the month of November were down 5.72 per cent (643 ) when compared to November 2017 (682 ).
More importantly, registrations for the year to date (first 11 months ) are down 4.4 per cent (125,415 ) on the same period last year (131,173 ).
However, imported used cars have shown an increase 1.44 per cent for the month of November 2018 (8,732 ) when compared to November 2017 (8,608 ). In addition, in the first 11 months of this year, imported used cars are up 8.21 per cent (95,148 ) ahead of 2017 (87,928 ).
New light commercial vehicle (LCV ) registrations have slightly decreased by -1.55 per cent (572 ) on November 2017 (581 ), but are up 5.7 per cent (25,340 ) for the year to date (up to the end of November ).
Meanwhile new heavy commercial vehicles (HGV ) have also seen a decrease of 38 per cent for the month of November (80 ) when compared to the same month last year (129 ) but again, are up 2.5 per cent (2,538 ) for the year to date.
Commenting on the figures, Alan Nolan, SIMI director general, told us: “As we approach the end of 2018 new vehicle registrations are in line with industry projections. Our industry has experienced a decline in new car registrations eight months out of 11 so far in 2018, and the month of December will no doubt see a further fall back in new car registrations. The impact of Brexit and sterling weakness continues to drive used car imports to a level where the volume is impacting on the new car market. This challenging and uncertain trading environment is set to continue into 2019.”
