New Car Registrations: +24% in July, Record month for electric cars

01/08/2023

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) today released their official 232 new vehicle registrations statistics for July.

New car registrations for the month of July were up 24% (27,148) when compared to July 2022 (21,904). Registrations year to date are up 20.1% (104,641) on the same period last year (87,115).

Light Commercial vehicles (LCV) are up 42.5% (5,664) compared to July last year (3,974) and year to date are up 35.3% (22,997). HGV (Heavy Goods Vehicle) registrations are also showing an increase of 27.6% (374) in comparison to July 2022 (293). Year to date HGVs are up 33.4% (1,927).

Imported Used Cars seen a 4.83% (4,409) increase in July 2023, when compared to July 2022 (4,206). Year to date imports are up 3.96% (29,435) on 2022 (28,315).

For the month of July 4,161 new electric vehicles were registered compared to 2,729 in July 2022 (+52.47%). So far this year 18,458 new electric cars have been registered in comparison to 11,175 (+65.17%) on the same period 2022.

In July, the car market share grew, with petrol retaining the largest share at 32.29%, Diesel accounting for 22.06%, Hybrid 18.04%, Electric 17.64%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid 7.67%. A surge in battery electric vehicles, Plug-in Hybrids and Hybrids now see their combined market share (year to date) at 43.35%. 

Brian Cooke Director General SIMI

 Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General commenting:  

“The new car market for the first month of the 232 registration plate indicates a strong performance, with an increase of 24% on the same month last year. Improved production over the last few months has helped supply catch up with demand, resulting in July new car sales almost matching those of the key selling month of January. The new car market year to date now stands 20% ahead of 2022 and less than 1% behind pre-Covid 2019. Commercial registrations, both the heavy and light sector, also continue to be well ahead of last year. 

The highlight of the market continues to be the performance of electric cars, with sales in July of 4,161 a record monthly total for EVs. So far this year 18,458 battery electric cars have been registered, an increase of nearly two-thirds on 2022. Improved supply and a greater range of new models available for motorists has supported this momentum behind EVs. The availability of SEAI grants to support positive decision making has been key, and their retention beyond this year, along with other EV incentives, is vital if we want to build on this success. Taking a closer look at the EV registration numbers, the main driver of growth is from consumers, who do qualify for the grant, and account for over 76% of EV sales. However, there also needs to be a focus on the business market, which without grant support really needs to see the extension of the BIK reliefs in Budget 2024, while investment in the public charging infrastructure is also crucial at this stage.”

2023 Total New Vehicle Stats

  • New Car sales total year to date (2023) 104,641 v (2022) 87,115 +20.1%
  • New Car sales total year to date (2023) 104,641 v (2019) 105,439 -0.8%
  • New Car sales total July (2023) 27,148 v (2022) 21,904 +24%
  • New Car sales total July (2023) 27,148 v (2019) 24,681 +10.0% 
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2023) 22,997 v (2022) 16,999 +35.3%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2023) 22,997 v (2019) 20,014 +14.9%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales total July (2023) 5,664 v (2022) 3,974 +42.5%
  • Light Commercial Vehicles sales total July (2023) 5,664 v (2019) 4,697 +20.6%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2023) 1,927 v (2022) 1,445 +33.4%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2023) 1,927 v (2019) 1,708 +12.8%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales July (2023) 374 v (2022) 293 +27.6%
  • Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales July (2023) 374 v (2019) 234 +59.8%
  • New Buses/ Coaches sales year to date (2023) 267 v (2022) 224 +19.2%
  • New Buses/ Coaches total sales July (2023) 46 v (2022) 22 +109.1%
  • Used Car Imports total year to date (2023) 29,435 v (2022) 28,315 +3.96%
  • Used Car Imports total year to date (2023) 29,435 v (2019) 62,508 -52.91%
  • Used Car Imports total July (2023) 4,409 v (2022) 4,206 +4.83%
  • Used Car Imports total July (2023) 4,409 v (2019) 9,382 -53.01%
  • New Electric Vehicles sales total year to date (2023) 18,458 v (2022) 11,175 +65.17%
  • New Electric Vehicles sales total year to date (2023) 18,458 v (2019) 2,687 +586.94%
  • New Electric Vehicles sales July (2023) 4,161 v (2022) 2,729 +52.47%
  • New Electric Vehicles sales July (2023) 4,161 v (2019) 733 +467.67%
  • 5 Top Selling Car Brands 2023 were: 1. TOYOTA, 2. VOLKSWAGEN, 3. HYUNDAI, 4. SKODA, 5.KIA
  • 5 Top Car Model’s year 2023 were: 1. HYUNDAI TUCSON, 2.KIA SPORTAGE, 3. TOYOTA COROLLA, 4. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS, 5. VOLKSWAGEN ID.4
  • Top 5 Selling Electric Vehicles (EVs) Car Brands 2023: 1. VOLKSWAGEN, 2. TESLA, 3. HYUNDAI, 4. KIA, 5.MG
  • Top 5 Selling Electric Vehicles (EVs) Models 2023: 1 VOLKSWAGEN ID.4, 2. TESLA MODEL Y, 3. HYUNDAI IONIQ 5, 4. SKODA ENYAQ, 5. MG MG4
  • Top Selling Car (July) 2023: HYUNDAI TUCSON
  • Top Selling Electric Car (July) 2023: MG MG4
  • Market share by engine type 2023 (YTD): Petrol 32.29%, Diesel 22.06%, Hybrid 18.04%, Electric 17.64%, Plug-In Hybrid 7.67%
  • Market share by engine type 2023 (July): Petrol 33.58%, Diesel 22.55%, Hybrid 19.94%, Electric 15.33% Plug-In Hybrid 7.30%

New Car Registrations by County 2023 (January-July)

County

2023 Units

2022 Units

% Change

2023 % Share

2022 % Share

Carlow

1110

1006

10.34

1.06

1.15

Cavan

1116

933

19.61

1.07

1.07

Clare

2053

1780

15.34

1.96

2.04

Cork

11965

11022

8.56

11.43

12.65

Donegal

2205

2135

3.28

2.11

2.45

Dublin

45599

33395

36.54

43.58

38.33

Galway

4167

3782

10.18

3.98

4.34

Kerry

2115

1981

6.76

2.02

2.27

Kildare

4384

3865

13.43

4.19

4.44

Kilkenny

1797

1648

9.04

1.72

1.89

Laois

1172

1068

9.74

1.12

1.23

Leitrim

387

365

6.03

0.37

0.42

Limerick

3303

2994

10.32

3.16

3.44

Longford

467

448

4.24

0.45

0.51

Louth

2298

2068

11.12

2.2

2.37

Mayo

1803

1651

9.21

1.72

1.9

Meath

3548

3049

16.37

3.39

3.5

Monaghan

792

696

13.79

0.76

0.8

Offaly

1105

1036

6.66

1.06

1.19

Roscommon

999

837

19.35

0.95

0.96

Sligo

951

893

6.49

0.91

1.03

Tipperary

2539

2336

8.69

2.43

2.68

Waterford

2491

2253

10.56

2.38

2.59

Westmeath

1420

1293

9.82

1.36

1.48

Wexford

2494

2468

1.05

2.38

2.83

Wicklow

2361

2113

11.74

2.26

2.43

 

New Electric Cars by County 2023 (January-July)

County

2023 Units

2022 Units

% Change

2023 % Share

2022 % Share

Carlow

184

109

68.81

1

0.98

Cavan

139

65

113.85

0.75

0.58

Clare

346

175

97.71

1.87

1.57

Cork

1932

1101

75.48

10.47

9.85

Donegal

258

164

57.32

1.4

1.47

Dublin

8490

5102

66.41

46

45.66

Galway

702

459

52.94

3.8

4.11

Kerry

279

179

55.87

1.51

1.6

Kildare

1041

612

70.1

5.64

5.48

Kilkenny

251

170

47.65

1.36

1.52

Laois

182

123

47.97

0.99

1.1

Leitrim

50

37

35.14

0.27

0.33

Limerick

497

312

59.29

2.69

2.79

Longford

64

36

77.78

0.35

0.32

Louth

385

204

88.73

2.09

1.83

Mayo

222

162

37.04

1.2

1.45

Meath

851

500

70.2

4.61

4.47

Monaghan

78

40

95

0.42

0.36

Offaly

137

92

48.91

0.74

0.82

Roscommon

111

72

54.17

0.6

0.64

Sligo

147

120

22.5

0.8

1.07

Tipperary

331

248

33.47

1.79

2.22

Waterford

366

220

66.36

1.98

1.97

Westmeath

237

153

54.9

1.28

1.37

Wexford

432

286

51.05

2.34

2.56

Wicklow

746

434

71.89

4.04

3.88