Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI ) have shown that new car registrations for the month of June, were down -14 per cent (1,397 ) when compared to (1,623 ) June 2016. Consequently and as expected, new cars registrations year to date are down -10 per cent (91,189 ) on the same period last year (101,327 ).
The Commercial vehicle sector has also seen a decrease with light commercial vehicles (LCV ) registrations down - 21 per cent (687 ) on June 2016 (866 ) and year to date are down - 14 per cent (15,784 ). In the first half of the year, Galway’s new car sales were down 15.1 per cent, and Mayo, was down 17.08 per cent, while Westmeath was down 13.91 per cent for the same six months period.
Meanwhile heavy commercial vehicles (HGVs ) are showing a decline of -18 per cent for the month of June (88 ) compared to the same month last year (108 ) and are down -11 per cent (1,590 ) year to date.
In all cases it appears down to uncertainty associated with various Brexit issues and changes in currency rates with the euro v sterling.
Commenting on the figures SIMI director general, Alan Nolan, said: ”As we had anticipated, the first half of the year has seen a decline in registrations in all sectors. As the industry now turns it focus to the 172 registration period which commenced on July 1, we would anticipate that sales in the second half of the year should keep us on track to reach the 132,000 total that was predicted at the start of the year.”
Some more stats for the first half of the year
• Five top selling car brands for the year to date were:
1. Volkswagen, 2. Toyota, 3. Hyundai, 4. Ford, 5. Nissan.
• Five top car models year to date were:
1. Hyundai Tucson, 2. Nissan Qashqai, 3. Skoda Octavia, 4. VW Golf, 5. Ford Focus.
• Top selling car month of June:
BMW 5 Series.
