New car registrations: down 9.3% in October 2025; Battery electric vehicles up 34.3%.

New car registrations: down 9.3% in October 2025; Battery electric vehicles up 34.3%

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) has released their official 252 new vehicle registration statistics for October.

New car registrations for October were down 9.3% (2,192) when compared to October 2024 (2,417). Registrations year to date are up 3.4% (123,858) on the same period last year (119,772).

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs) increased by 41.8% (1,694) compared to October last year (1,195). Year to date, LCVs are up 4.7% (31,447). Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs) registrations are up 7.8% (138) compared to October 2024 (128). Year to date, HGVs are down 7.6% (2,541).

Imported Used Cars have seen a 19% (6,791) rise in October 2025, when compared to October 2024 (5,709). Year to date imports are up 13.1% (60,452) on 2024 (53,446).

In October 709 new electric cars (battery electric cars) were registered, which was 34.3% higher than the 528 registrations in October 2024. So far this year, 23,085 new electric cars have been registered, representing a 38.6% increase compared to the same period in 2024, when 16,653 electric cars were registered.

In the new car market share by engine type for 2025, Petrol cars continue as the new car market leader at 25.23%, followed by Hybrid (Petrol Electric) at 22.56%, Electric at 18.64%, Diesel at 17.13%, and Plug-in Electric Hybrid at 14.83%.

Brian Cooke (Pictured) SIMI Director General, commented: “While October new car registrations declined by 9% when compared to the same month last year, year-to-date new car sales remain over 3% ahead, with a total of 123,858 new cars registered. October’s new battery electric car registrations indicate growth in every county, with 709 units registered, an increase of 34% when compared to October 2024, marking the tenth consecutive month of growth in EV sales. Year-to-date EV registrations have now reached 23,085 units, a 39% increase on the same period last year. In the commercial vehicle sector, both light and heavy commercial vehicles experienced growth in October, with LCV registrations showing a 42% increase for the month and are 5% up year-to-date. HGV registrations showed an 8% increase in October, but overall are 8% down on last year.”

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2025 Total New Vehicle Stats

• New Car sales total year to date (2025) 123,858 v (2024) 119,772 +3.4%

• New Car sales total October (2025) 2,192 v (2024) 2,417 -9.3%

• New Light Commercial Vehicles sales year to date (2025) 31,447 v (2024) 30,044 +4.47%

• New Light Commercial Vehicles sales total October (2025) 1,694 v (2024) 1,195 +41.8%

• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales year to date (2025) 2,541 v (2024) 2,749 -7.6%

• New Heavy Goods Vehicle total sales October (2025) 138 v (2024) 128 +7.8%

• New Buses/ Coaches sales year to date (2025) 368 v (2024) 565 -34.9%

• Used Car Imports total year to date (2025) 60,452 v (2024) 53,446 +13.1%

• Used Car Imports total October (2025) 6,791 v (2024) 5,709 +19.0%

• New Electric Vehicle sales total year to date (2025) 23,085 v (2024) 16,653 +38.62%

• New Electric Vehicle sales total October (2025) 709 v (2024) 528 +34.28%

• 5 Top Selling New Car Brands 2025 were: 1. TOYOTA, 2. VOLKSWAGEN, 3. SKODA, 4. HYUNDAI, 5. KIA

• 5 Top New Car Models 2025 were: 1. HYUNDAI TUCSON, 2. SKODA OCTAVIA, 3. KIA SPORTAGE, 4. TOYOTA YARIS CROSS, 5. TOYOTA RAV 4

• 5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Brands 2025: 1. VOLKSWAGEN, 2. KIA, 3. HYUNDAI, 4. TESLA, 5. SKODA

• 5 Top Selling New Electric Vehicles (EVs) Models 2025: 1. VOLKSWAGEN ID.4, 2. TESLA MODEL 3, 3. KIA EV3, 4. TESLA MODEL Y, 5. KIA EV6

• Top Selling New Car (October) 2025: HYUNDAI TUCSON

• Top Selling New Electric Car (October) 2025: KIA EV4

• Market share by engine type 2025: Petrol 25.23%, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) 22.56%, Electric 18.64%, Diesel 17.13%, Plug-In Electric Hybrid 14.83%

• Tables below show total new car registrations by county 2025 and total new electric car registrations by county 2025.

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