Figures for March, released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), show that new car registrations are down 15.5%.

New car sales for the month totalled 14,936 compared to 17,685 in March 2023. However, registrations for 2024 so far are up 8.0% (62,807) on the same period last year (58,151). 

In March, 2,009 new electric cars were registered, which is a massive 41.1% lower than the 3,412 registrations in March 2023. So far this year, 7,971 new EV have been registered, which is a 14.3% decrease compared to the same period in 2023, when 9,297 electric cars were registered.

Light Commercial vehicles (LCVs) increased by 31.7% (4,410) compared to March last year (3,348). Year to date, LCVs are up 34.1% (15,356). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are up 28.2% (350) in comparison to March 2023 (273). Year to date HGVs are up 15.0% (1,110).

Imported Used Cars have seen an 11.0% (5,216) rise in March 2024, when compared to March 2023 (4,698). Year to date imports are up 24.2% (15,487) on 2023 (12,473).

In the new car market share by engine type for 2024, Petrol cars lead the new car market at 33.37%, followed by Diesel at 23.05%, then Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 21.33%, Electric at 12.69%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 7.92%.

Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting: “While the new car market started strongly in the first two months of the year, March proved to be much more difficult. Sales across all fuel types were behind last year, with the Electric Vehicle segment seeing a notable decline. This highlights the ongoing challenge of transitioning to electrification, as we move into the mainstream car market. The electrification of the fleet requires increased collaboration between all stakeholders to bridge this current chasm in the market. For the Industry, this means investment and delivery of EV technology. For Government, this means increased support in terms of extension of current incentives, including purchase grants and Benefit-In-Kind (BIK) relief for companies, and working with private enterprise to upgrade the national charging infrastructure, to boost consumer confidence in making the switch to electric vehicles.”

Top Selling New Car Brands 2024 were:

1. TOYOTA

2. SKODA

3. VOLKSWAGEN

4. HYUNDAI

 5. KIA  

Top New Car Model’s 2024 were:

1. HYUNDAI TUCSON

2. SKODA OCTAVIA

3.KIA SPORTAGE

4. TOYOTA RAV 4

5. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS  

Top Selling Car (March) 2024: SKODA OCTAVIA 

Market share by engine type 2024: Petrol 33.37%, Diesel 23.05%, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 21.33%, Electric 12.69%, Plug-In Electric Hybrid 7.92%