72% decline in May new car registrations as Motor Industry gets back to business

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released their official new vehicle statistics. New car registrations for May declined 72.3% (1,751) when compared to May 2019 (6,320). Retailer’s showrooms remained closed until the 18th of May, as a result of COVID-19 impacting heavily on sales. Registrations year to date are down 34.6% (51,904) on the same period last year (79,350).

The commercial vehicle sector was also impacted. Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) down 70.3% (510) compared to May last year (1,717) and year to date are down 31.3% (10,016). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are down 69.8% (90) in comparison to May 2019 (298). Year to date HGV's are down 23.2% (1141).

Used car imports for May (857) seen a decrease of 90.8% on May 2019 (9,347). While year to date imports are down 58.9% (18,525) on 2019 (45,066).

• New car sales year to date (2020) 51,904 v (2019) 79,350 -34.6%
• New car sales total May (2020) 1,751 v (2019) 6,320 -72.3%
• Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2020) 10,016 v (2019) 14,571 -31.3%
• Light Commercial Vehicles sales total May (2020) 510 v (2019) 1,717 -70.3%
• Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2020) 1,141 v (2019) 1,486 -23.2%
• Heavy Goods Vehicle sales total May (2020) 90 v (2019) 298 -69.8%
• Used Car Imports total year to date (2020) 18,525 v (2019) 45,066 -58.9%
• Used Car Imports total May (2020) 857 v (2019) 9,347 -90.8%
• 5 Top Selling Car Brands 2020 were: 1. Toyota 2. Volkswagen 3. Hyundai 4. Skoda 5. Ford
• 5 Top car model’s year 2020 were 1. Toyota Corolla 2. Hyundai Tucson 3. Volkswagen Tiguan 4. Ford Focus 5. Hyundai Kona
• Market share by engine type 2020: Diesel 44.08%, Petrol 37.57%, Hybrid 12.31%, Electric 3.57% and Plug-In Hybrid 2.19%
• Table below shows new car registrations by county for January to May 2020. 
  (Click here to download table pdf)