JANUARY 211 SEES NEW CAR REGISTRATIONS DOWN 17.8%

01/02/2021

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), today released the official 211 new vehicle registration figures for January.

New cars registrations for January are down 17.8% (25,191) when compared to January 2020 (30,650). Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are down 10.9% (5,033) compared to January last year (5,647). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations also showing a decrease of 4.5% (340) in comparison to January 2020 (356).

Used car imports seen a 3.1% (6,824) increase in January when compared with January 2020 (6,622).

Despite a decline in market share, Diesel continues to remain the most popular engine type in 2021 (35.85%), followed by petrol (34.7%), while hybrid (19.12%) gained a significant increase, along with growth of plug-in hybrid (4.23%) and electric (3.89%) market share.

New electric car registrations increased with 980 registered in January 2021, compared to 891 January 2020.

Commenting on the new vehicle registrations figures Tom Cullen SIMI Deputy Director General said: 

“New car registrations are down 17% on January 2020, the fifth consecutive January that new car sales have fallen, although this year’s registrations must be seen in the context of the pandemic and associated restrictions. Strong pre-orders coming into the New Year and the ability of the Industry to provide both on-line shopping and a click and deliver service, has mitigated somewhat against the full impact of the pandemic in January. On a positive note, despite the fall in new cars sales both Electric Vehicles and PHEVS are ahead of last January, and with more models and supply coming on stream as the year progresses, it is anticipated that this growth will continue. It is vital for society and business that the current restrictions succeed in driving down the incidence of COVID and with the delivery of COVID vaccines, we hope that business can return to more normal levels once the health situation allows. In the meantime, to protect long term employment and local businesses, it is essential that the current Government business and employee supports remain in place.”

2021 Total New Vehicle Stats 

  • New Car sales total January (2021) 25,191 v (2020) 30,650 -17.8%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales total January (2021) 5,033 v (2020) 5,647 -10.9%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales January (2021) 340 v (2020) 356 -4.5%
  • Used Car Imports total January (2021) 6,824 v (2020) 6,622 +3.1%
  • New Electric Vehicles sales total year to date (2021) 980 v (2020) 891 +9.99%
  • 10 Top Selling Car Brands January 2021 were: 1. Toyota 2. Hyundai 3. Volkswagen 4.Ford 5. Skoda 6. Nissan 7. Kia 8. Peugeot 9. Renault 10. Seat  
  • 10 Top car model’s year January 2021 were 1. Hyundai Tucson, 2. Toyota Corolla, 3. Toyota Rav 4, 4. Ford Focus, 5. Toyota Yaris 6. Toyota C-HR 7. Skoda Octavia 8. Volkswagen Golf 9. Hyundai Kona 10. Volkswagen Tiguan.
  • Top Selling Car January 2021: Hyundai Tucson
  • Top Selling Car Body Type January 2021: Hatchback
  • Market share by engine type 2021: Diesel 35.85%, Petrol 34.7%, Electric 3.89%, Plug-In Hybrid 4.23% and Hybrid 19.12%,
  • Table below shows new car registrations by county for January 2021. Click here to download also.

New Car Registrations by County January 2021

County

2021 Units

2020 Units

% Change

2021 % Share

2020 % Share

Carlow

345

391

-11.76

1.37

1.28

Cavan

333

392

-15.05

1.32

1.28

Clare

570

670

-14.93

2.26

2.19

Cork

3261

4189

-22.15

12.95

13.67

Donegal

606

747

-18.88

2.41

2.44

Dublin

9006

10802

-16.63

35.75

35.24

Galway

1012

1305

-22.45

4.02

4.26

Kerry

550

707

-22.21

2.18

2.31

Kildare

1130

1438

-21.42

4.49

4.69

Kilkenny

535

666

-19.67

2.12

2.17

Laois

377

474

-20.46

1.5

1.55

Leitrim

104

119

-12.61

0.41

0.39

Limerick

989

1203

-17.79

3.93

3.92

Longford

145

136

6.62

0.58

0.44

Louth

637

786

-18.96

2.53

2.56

Mayo

471

602

-21.76

1.87

1.96

Meath

935

1054

-11.29

3.71

3.44

Monaghan

253

278

-8.99

1

0.91

Offaly

364

430

-15.35

1.44

1.4

Roscommon

263

298

-11.74

1.04

0.97

Sligo

255

341

-25.22

1.01

1.11

Tipperary

753

887

-15.11

2.99

2.89

Waterford

613

725

-15.45

2.43

2.37

Westmeath

399

486

-17.9

1.58

1.59

Wexford

707

817

-13.46

2.81

2.67

Wicklow

578

707

-18.25

2.29

2.31