Official new vehicle statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for March were down 63%.

Only 6,174 new cars were registered in March compared to March 2019  when 16,687 were purchased. Registrations year to date are also down 20.5% (51,015) on the same period last year (64,126).

Light Commercials vehicles (LCV) are down 52.9% (1,434) compared to March last year (3,044) and year to date are down 15.2% (9,378). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 17.67% (313) in comparison to March 2019 (266). Year to date HGV's are up 12.59% (993).

Used car imports for March (4,656) have seen a decrease of 48.1% on March 2019 (8,970). Year to date imports are down 34.9% (17,471) on 2019 (26,832).

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting on the market figures says: “The health of our nation is the overriding priority. The Motor Industry will assist the State in any way we can during this pandemic. While showrooms, service and other activities within the Industry are closed, members are available to assist in emergency call-out or delivery services. This will be vital in keeping essential and emergency services moving.

The Motor Industry and its employees, like so many Industries, is feeling the devastating impact of COVID-19. Even before the crisis commenced, the new car market was in decline, and this fall has accelerated rapidly in the last fortnight with new car activity down nearly two-thirds on last year. Whatever the duration of this crisis, once we emerge we will need to see decisive and ambitious action from Government to protect the nearly 50,000 jobs in our sector.”

Top Selling Car Brands 2020:
1.Toyota
2. Volkswagen
3.Hyundai
4.Skoda
5.Ford

Top car model’s year 2020:
1.Toyota Corolla
2. Hyundai Tucson
3.Volkswagen Tiguan
4. Ford Focus
5. Skoda Octavia

Top Selling Car March 2020: Toyota Corolla

Market share by engine type 2020:

Diesel 43.86%,
Petrol 38.42%,
Hybrid 12.17%,
Electric 3.27%
Plug-In Hybrid 2.02%