NEW car registrations in Limerick are up this year compared to the same period last year.
That’s according to figures released by the Society for the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) that founds 3,764 new cars were registered in Limerick between January to October this year.
This figure is up on the same period last year, which saw 3,540 new cars registered in the Treaty county.
Sales of new electric vehicles (EVs) were also up in Limerick, with 580 registered so far in 2023, compared to 419 registered in the same period in 2022.
Nationally, new car registrations were down 16.8 per cent for the month of October compared to last year.
However, from January to October, new car registrations were up 15.6 per cent nationwide.
The five top selling car brands across Ireland included Toyota, Volkswagen, Hyundai, Skoda, and Kia vehicles.
The five top selling models of car across Ireland were the Hyundai Tuscon, Kia Sportage, Toyota Corolla, Toyota Yaris Cross, and the Volkswagen ID4.
SIMI director Brian Cooke said: “In October, new car registrations decreased by 16.8 per cent (2,178) on the same month last year, while year to date the new car market is actually ahead 15.6 per cent (120,495) on 2022.”
“New electric car registrations also saw a decline in October, with 607 units sold in comparison to 737 for the same month last year. However, the underlying EV market remains positive, and a more accurate view of this can be seen in the 22,280 EV registrations year to date, an increase of 46 per cent on 2022. Electric Vehicles (EVs) now represent 18.5 per cent of the new car market.”
He continued: “Private consumer sales, with the support of SEAI grants, are the largest contributor of new electric vehicle registrations, accounting for nearly three quarters of EV sales.”
“The clarity brought by last month’s Budget, with the extension of VRT and BIK reliefs, will support EV growth for next year in both the private and business sectors. Sales of commercials both Light (LCV) and Heavy Good Vehicles (HGVs), while subdued in October remain ahead year to date,” Mr Cooke concluded.
