Another difficult year is perhaps how 2011 can be summed up in terms of new car sales. New figures from the SIMI show that 2011 registrations stood at just 89,900. This is 1.6% up on 2010.

Helped by the scrappage scheme, initial sales in 2011 were reasonably strong, but fell away sharply in the face of economic uncertainty at the end of the year.

Toyota was once again the top selling carmaker at 13%, followed by VW (12.5%), and Ford (11.7%). Ford also had the best selling model with the Focus accounting for 4,209 units, ahead of the VW Golf on 3,967.

Diesel powered vehicles accounted for 71% of new cars in 2011, with petrol engines trailing far behind on just under 27%. It appears buyers’ remains largely sceptical about other power sources, with only 552 hybrid cars registered and a mere 46 all electric cars hitting the roads.

January 2012 sales are expected to be strong in comparison to last year, as customers collect pre-ordered vehicles to avoid new VAT rates.

Eddie Murphy, Chairman and Managing Director of Ford Ireland, commented on the latest figures, “We are thrilled that the new Focus is again Ireland’s favourite car.” He added, “Overall, the buoyant start to the year is likely to peter out given the general economic outlook and we foresee total car sales to be in the region of 85,000 units in 2012”.