October new car registrations up 9.7%, but EV registrations down 12.3%
New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that new car registrations for October rose by 9.7% to 2,423 when compared to the figure of 2,208 the same month last year.
Registrations so far this year are down 1.2% to 119,668 on the 121,134 cars registered the same time last year.
Today’s figures show that 529 new electric cars were registered in October, a drop of 12.3% compared to the 603 EV registrations in October of last year.
So far this year, 16,656 new electric cars have been registered, which represents a 25.4% decrease compared to the same time in 2023 when 22,329 electric cars were registered.
In the new car market share by engine type for 2024, SIMI said that petrol cars continue to lead the new car market at 30.79%, followed by diesel at 22.94%, then hybrid (petrol electric) at 20.99%, electric at 13.92%, and plug-in electric hybrid at 9.81%.
SIMI also said that imported used cars have seen a 38.5% increase to 5,710 compared to 4,123 in October of last year. Year to date imports are up 25.9% to 53,448 from 42,461 last year.
Today’s SIMI figures show that the top selling car in October was the Toyota Yaris Cross.
They also reveal that the five top selling new car brands so far this year were Toyota, Volkswagen, Skoda, Hyundai and Kia.
The five top new car models were the Hyundai Tucson, the Skoda Octavia, the Kia Sportage, the Toyota Rav 4 and the Toyota Yaris Cross.
Meanwhile the five top selling electric vehicles brands were Volkswagen, Tesla, Kia, Hyundai and BYD.
Brian Cooke, SIMI’s Director General, said that October new car registrations increased by 10% when compared to the same month last year, with 2,423 new cars registered. but year to date new car registrations are still marginally down on last year.
“The data also shows the continuing decline in sales of Electric Vehicles (EVs), with EV sales for the month 12% lower than October last year. This marks the ninth consecutive month of decline in electric vehicle registrations which is clearly a worrying trend,” Mr Cooke said.
“Year to date EV registrations are now 25% lower than 2023. The decline in EV sales emphasises the need for continued Government supports and initiatives to boost sales in this market segment,” he added
Article Source – October new car registrations up 9.7%, but EV registrations down 12.3% – RTE
