October 2018 New Car Registrations Down 11%

 Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) show that the total new car registrations for the month of October 2018 were down 11.2% (1,725) when compared to October 2017 (1,943). Registrations year to date are also down 4.4% (124,809) on the same period last year (130,491).

 New Light Commercial Vehicle registrations (LCV) have increased by 14.1% (998) on October 2017 (875) and are up 5.9% (24,779) year to date. While New Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HGV) have increased by 13.2% for the month of October (129) when compared to the same month last year (114) and are up 4.8% (2,460) year to date.

 Imported Used Cars have shown an increase of 7.45% for the month of October 2018 (9,141) when compared to October 2017 (8,507) while year to date are 8.95% (86,418) ahead of 2017 (79,320).

 Commenting on the figures Brian Cooke SIMI Director General Designate said “It comes as no surprise that new car registrations are down again this month, in line with the trend in the market so far this year. While the domestic economic backdrop continues to be positive, as evidenced by the increase in commercial vehicle registrations this year, the impact of Brexit and the associated weakness of Sterling has seen an increase in the volume of used imports, which has been to the detriment of the new car market.”

 Statistics in short:

 • New car sales year to date (2018) 124,809 v (2017) 130,491 -4.4% 

• New car sales total October (2018) 1,725 v (2017) 1,943 -11.2% 

• Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2018) 24,779 v (2017) 23,390 +5.9%

• Light Commercial Vehicles sales total October (2018) 998 v (2017) 875 +14.1%

• Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2018) 2,460 v (2017) 2,348 +4.8%

• Heavy Goods Vehicle sales total October (2018) 129 v (2017) 114 +13.2%

• Used Car Imports year to date (2018) 86,418 v (2017) 79,320 +8.95%

• Used Car Imports total October (2018) 9,141 v (2017) 8,507 +7.45%

• New Electric Vehicles year to date (2018) 1,211 v (2017) 610 +98.52%

• 5 Top Selling Car Brands Year to Date were: 1. Volkswagen 2. Toyota 3. Hyundai 4. Ford 5. Nissan

• 5 Top car models year-to-date were: 1. Nissan Qashqai 2. Hyundai Tucson 3. Ford Focus 4. Volkswagen Golf  5. Skoda Octavia

• Top Selling Car in October: Nissan Qashqai