REDUCE VRT, SAVE JOBS IN THE MOTOR INDUSTRY

01/09/2020

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released their official new vehicle statistics. New car registrations for August were down 4.2% (4,875) when compared to August 2019 (5,088). While registrations year to date are down 28.6% (78,920) on the same period last year (110,527).

Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) are down 11% (1,683) compared to August last year (1,891) and year to date are down 23.8% (16,700). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 20.13% (185) in comparison to August 2019 (154). Year to date HGV's are down 25.6% (1,641).

Used car imports for August (8,143) have seen a decrease of 16.1% on August 2019 (9,706). While year to date imports are down 45.1% (39,672) on 2019 (72,214).

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting on the market figures said:

“August represents another disappointing month for new car sales, with sales again down on the same month last year, as they have been each month of 2020. This has led a year to date reduction of 29% in new cars sales, and a 43% reduction over the last 4 years. The Industry is operating at the same business levels as 10 years ago, when the sector shed close to 15,000 jobs. 

The outlook for 2021 is not optimistic, with the negative impact of both COVID and BREXIT, new car sales will continue at recession levels. The Motor Industry in Ireland supports employment in local communities throughout the country and to protect these jobs it needs a fair taxation environment in which to operate. With Budget 2021 only weeks away, now is the time for a significant reduction in Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT). This would enable the car market return to normal sustainable levels that would not only save jobs, but increase overall tax take and help renew the Irish car fleet, reducing both the age of the fleet and emissions from transport.”

2020 Total New Vehicle Stats

  • New car sales year to date (2020) 78,920 v (2019) 110,527 -28.6%
  • New car sales total August (2020) 4,875 v (2019) 5,088 -4.2%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2020) 16,700 v (2019) 21,907 -23.8%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales total August (2020) 1,683 v (2019) 1,891 -11%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2020) 1,641 v (2019) 2,206 -25.6%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle sales total August (2020)185 v (2019) 154 +20.13%
  • Used Car Imports total year to date (2020) 39,672 v (2019) 72,214 -45.1%
  • Used Car Imports total August (2020) 8,143 v (2019) 9,706 -16.1%
  • Electric Vehicle sales year to date (2020) 2,956 v (2019) 2,859 +3.39%
  • Electric Vehicles Car total August (2020) 296 v (2019) 172 +72.09%
  • 5 Top Selling Car Brands 2020 were: 1. Volkswagen 2. Toyota 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
  • Top Selling Car August 2020: Hyundai Kona
  • Market share by engine type 2020: Diesel 43.45% Petrol 37.58% Hybrid 12.06%, Electric 3.75%, Plug-in Hybrid 2.7%

Table below shows new car registrations by county for January to August 2020. 

New Car Registrations by County January-August 2020

County

2020 Units

2019 Units

% Change

2020 % Share

2019 % Share

Carlow

928

1201

-22.73

1.18

1.09

Cavan

914

1114

-17.95

1.16

1.01

Clare

1799

2113

-14.86

2.28

1.91

Cork

10082

13231

-23.8

12.77

11.97

Donegal

1916

2231

-14.12

2.43

2.02

Dublin

29685

48757

-39.12

37.61

44.11

Galway

3287

4054

-18.92

4.16

3.67

Kerry

1759

2202

-20.12

2.23

1.99

Kildare

3525

4209

-16.25

4.47

3.81

Kilkenny

1636

1978

-17.29

2.07

1.79

Laois

1071

1273

-15.87

1.36

1.15

Leitrim

354

376

-5.85

0.45

0.34

Limerick

2941

3665

-19.75

3.73

3.32

Longford

387

489

-20.86

0.49

0.44

Louth

1938

2519

-23.06

2.46

2.28

Mayo

1518

1848

-17.86

1.92

1.67

Meath

2599

3135

-17.1

3.29

2.84

Monaghan

711

843

-15.66

0.9

0.76

Offaly

1027

1209

-15.05

1.3

1.09

Roscommon

773

896

-13.73

0.98

0.81

Sligo

855

1005

-14.93

1.08

0.91

Tipperary

2266

2842

-20.27

2.87

2.57

Waterford

1938

2974

-34.84

2.46

2.69

Westmeath

1175

1494

-21.35

1.49

1.35

Wexford

1996

2638

-24.34

2.53

2.39

Wicklow

1840

2231

-17.53

2.33

2.02

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