The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today release their official new vehicle registration statistics, which show that the total new 192 car registrations for the month of July are down 8.4% (24,685) when compared with July 2018 (26,958). New car registrations year to date are down 8% (105,441) on the same period last year (114,082). Commenting on the registrations figures Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General said: “The 192-registration period is generally a period of upturn for new vehicle sales however July has replicated the first 6 months of the year and proved a disappointing month for new cars, down over 8% on last year. There continues to be a surge in used car imports, the majority of which are coming from the UK. While Brexit is clearly a factor in this increase, Ireland’s taxation system overburdens new cars, causing motorists either to hang on to their older smokier cars or look to the UK for an older import. Over the last 3 years we have imported 150,000 cars that do not meet the latest EU emission standards, which in effect means Ireland has become the dumping ground for older cars the UK doesn’t want. This is not only bad news for Irish retailers and their employees, but also bad news for Ireland’s environment.