November New Car Registrations see another month of decline

Alan Nolan Director General SIMI

Official statistics released today by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new car registrations for the month of November were down 5.57% (644) when compared to November 2017 (682).Registrations year to date are down 4.4% (125,416) on the same period last year (131,173).

New Light Commercial Vehicle registrations (LCV) have slightly decreased -1.72% (571) on November 2017 (581) and are up 5.7% (25,339) year to date. While New Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) have also seen a decrease of 38% for the month of November (80) when compared to the same month last year (129) and are up 2.5% (2,538) year to date.

Imported Used Cars have shown an increase 1.44% for the month of November 2018 (8,732) when compared to November 2017 (8,608) while year to date are 8.21% (95,148) ahead of 2017 (87,928).

Commenting on the figures Alan Nolan SIMI Director General said “As we approach the end of 2018 new vehicle registrations are in line with Industry projections. Our Industry has experienced a decline in new car registrations 8 months out of 11 so far in 2018 and the month of December will no doubt see a further fall back in new car registrations. The impact of Brexit and sterling weakness continues to drive used car imports to a level where the volume is impacting on the new car market. This challenging and uncertain trading environment is set to continue into 2019."

Stats in short:

• New car sales year to date (2018) 125,416  v (2017) 131,173 -4.4%
• New car sales total November (2018) 644 v (2017) 682 -5.57% 
• Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2018) 25,340 v (2017) 23,971 +5.7%
• Light Commercial Vehicles sales total November (2018) 571 v (2017) 581 -1.72%
• Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2018) 2,538 v (2017) 2,477 +2.5%
• Heavy Goods Vehicle sales total November (2018) 80 v (2017) 129 -37.98%
• Used Car Imports year to date (2018) 95,148 v (2017) 87,928 +8.21%
• Used Car Imports total November (2018) 8,732 v (2017) 8,608 +1.44%
• New Electric Vehicles year to date (2018) 1,124 v (2017) 621 +97%
• 5 Top Selling Car Brands Year to Date were: 1. Volkswagen 2. Toyota 3. Hyundai 4. Ford 5. Nissan      
• 5 Top car model’s year to date were: 1. Hyundai Tucson 2. Nissan Qashqai 3. Ford Focus 4.Volkswagen Golf 5. Skoda Octavia
• Top Selling Car November: BMW 5 Series
• Table below records new car registrations by county January to November 2018