Whilst imports continue to rise in a buoyant used car market.
The latest statistics from the Motorcheck.ie New Car Index shows that sales for new cars this November are down 22% on the same month last year. The total number of new cars registered in 2013 is 73,829 only 6% down for the same period in 2012.
However the green shoots of recovery are beginning to emerge even in the Motor Trade. Registrations of new commercial vehicles are marginally ahead (+4%) on the same period last year, whilst used car imports have grown by a hefty 28% year on year as the dealers in Ireland continue to look to the UK for stock. The low sales of new cars experienced since 2009 has meant a lack of used stock in a very active market, with over 750,000 used car sales happening this year.
Commenting on the latest statistics Michael Rochford, Managing Director of Motorcheck.ie, said “2013 is performing as expected with all eyes now on the order books for 2014. Feedback from the dealer network is that showroom traffic is up on last year with order books looking like outperforming 2013”.
Volkswagen is set to remain as the most popular manufacturer to the end of 2013 with second and third place hotly contested by Toyota and Ford. Whilst Hyundai have made the most gains in 2013 and are currently in fourth place in terms of total new car sales.
The Volkswagen Golf is Ireland’s favourite new car in 2013 followed by the Nissan Qashqai, Ford Focus and Ford Fiesta respectively.
Other Key Stats:
- Petrol cars made a comeback in 2013 with overall sales of petrol cars up 5.5% against 2012
- Diesel car sales suffered, falling 9% year to date against 2012 figures
- MPV became the most popular vehicle type jumping ahead of Saloon and Hatchback for the first time ever
- 93% of all passenger vehicles registered this year are in Band A & B
- Only 62 cars separate the traditional colours of Silver (16,792) and Black (16,730)
If you are considering purchasing a new car in 2014 why not check out some of the innovative online "cost of ownership" calculators powered by Motorcheck: