The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today issued their Quarterly Motor Industry Review Q2 of 2019 composed by Economist Jim Power. The report makes for stark reading, despite the economy performing strongly, the environment for new car sales continues to remain very challenging. Since the announcement of Brexit both new cars and commercial registrations continue to decline with the exception of electric cars and used car imports. External threats such as Brexit uncertainty, greater consumer caution and the ongoing growth of used imports continue to undermine new car sales. Another factor dampening demand was the increase in the VRT on new cars in last year’s Budget, arising from the fact that no allowance was made by the Irish authorities for the first step in the move to the new WLTP testing regime.

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that total new car registrations for the month of June are up 13% (1,410) when compared with June 2018 (1,248). New car registrations year to date are down 7.4% (80,712) on the same period last year (87,116).

The Motor Industry and the motorist is facing the greatest change in taxation since 2009. The Industry is haunted by the taxation changes in 2009, which undermined both new and used car sales by being too ambitious and seeking to implement change too quickly. Overnight car values plummeted, new car sales declined and the Industry feel off a cliff. That together with a recession resulted in the closure of 150 family businesses, 14,700 job lost and over €1bn in lost revenue for the Exchequer.

Commenting on the Governments Climate Action plan, SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said “The Motor Industry continues to be supportive of the drive towards zero emissions transport. The Climate Action Plan is hugely ambitious and it is important that we get greater clarity on the detail of any proposals, both short term and long term.

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that total new car registrations for the month of May are up 4.7% (6,341) when compared with May 2018 (6,055). New car registrations year to date are down 7.6% (79,343) on the same period last year (85,868).

Gabriel Keane, who is Managing Director and owner of Kia Liffey Valley, Dublin was elected President of the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI), at the organisation’s AGM held recently in Killashee Hotel, Naas, Co. Kildare.

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today issued the new vehicle registrations statistics for April along with their Quarterly Motor Industry Review Q1 of 2019.

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that total new car registrations for the month of March are down 5.6% (16,738) when compared with March 2018 (17,726). New car registrations year to date are down 10.7% (64,098) on the same period last year (71,760).

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today announced at the Intreo Careers Fair, Dublin Castle, that the Irish Motor Industry is looking to recruit 150 Apprentices throughout Ireland. Apprenticeships include Motor Mechanics, Heavy Vehicle Mechanics, Vehicle Body Repairs, Agricultural Mechanics and Construction Plant Fitting

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new electric car registrations for the month of February have shown a significant increase with 330 registered in comparison to just 72 in the same month last year. Year to date 1,129 have been registered in the first two months of this year, which has almost surpassed the total sales for the whole of 2018 (1,233).